The Hound of The Baskervilles: by A. Conan Doyle

3/25/2016
TheHoundoftheBaskervilles,byA.ConanDoyle
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Title:TheHoundoftheBaskervilles
Author:A.ConanDoyle
ReleaseDate:December8,2008[EBook#2852]
LastUpdated:December17,2012
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:ASCII
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEHOUNDOFTHEBASKERVILLES***
ProducedbyShreevatsaR,andDavidWidger
THEHOUNDOFTHE
BASKERVILLES
ByA.ConanDoyle
Contents
Chapter1.
Mr.SherlockHolmes
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2852/2852h/2852h.htm
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Chapter2.
TheCurseoftheBaskervilles
Chapter3.
TheProblem
Chapter4.
SirHenryBaskerville
Chapter5.
ThreeBrokenThreads
Chapter6.
BaskervilleHall
Chapter7.
TheStapletonsofMerripitHouse
Chapter8.
FirstReportofDr.Watson
Chapter9.
TheLightupontheMoor[SecondReportofDr.Watson]
Chapter10. ExtractfromtheDiaryofDr.Watson
Chapter11. TheManontheTor
Chapter12. DeathontheMoor
Chapter13. FixingtheNets
Chapter14. TheHoundoftheBaskervilles
Chapter15. ARetrospection
Chapter1.Mr.SherlockHolmes
Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not
infrequentoccasionswhenhewasupallnight,wasseatedatthebreakfasttable.Istooduponthe
hearthrugandpickedupthestickwhichourvisitorhadleftbehindhimthenightbefore.Itwasa
fine,thickpieceofwood,bulbousheaded,ofthesortwhichisknownasa"Penanglawyer."Just
undertheheadwasabroadsilverbandnearlyaninchacross. "To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S.,
fromhisfriendsoftheC.C.H.,"wasengraveduponit,withthedate"1884."Itwasjustsucha
stickastheoldfashionedfamilypractitionerusedtocarrydignified,solid,andreassuring.
"Well,Watson,whatdoyoumakeofit?"
Holmeswassittingwithhisbacktome,andIhadgivenhimnosignofmyoccupation.
"HowdidyouknowwhatIwasdoing?Ibelieveyouhaveeyesinthebackofyourhead."
"Ihave,atleast,awellpolished,silverplatedcoffeepotinfrontofme,"saidhe."But,tellme,
Watson,whatdoyoumakeofourvisitor'sstick?Sincewehavebeensounfortunateastomiss
himandhavenonotionofhiserrand,thisaccidentalsouvenirbecomesofimportance.Letme
hearyoureconstructthemanbyanexaminationofit."
"Ithink,"saidI,followingasfarasIcouldthemethodsofmycompanion,"thatDr.Mortimer
is a successful, elderly medical man, wellesteemed since those who know him give him this
markoftheirappreciation."
"Good!"saidHolmes."Excellent!"
"I think also that the probability is in favour of his being a country practitioner who does a
greatdealofhisvisitingonfoot."
"Whyso?"
"Becausethisstick,thoughoriginallyaveryhandsomeonehasbeensoknockedaboutthatI
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canhardlyimagineatownpractitionercarryingit.Thethickironferruleisworndown,soitis
evidentthathehasdoneagreatamountofwalkingwithit."
"Perfectlysound!"saidHolmes.
"Andthenagain,thereisthe'friendsoftheC.C.H.'Ishouldguessthatto be the Something
Hunt, the local hunt to whose members he has possibly given some surgical assistance, and
whichhasmadehimasmallpresentationinreturn."
"Really, Watson, you excel yourself," said Holmes, pushing back his chair and lighting a
cigarette."Iamboundtosaythatinalltheaccountswhichyouhavebeensogoodastogiveof
my own small achievements you have habitually underrated your own abilities. It may be that
youarenotyourselfluminous,butyouareaconductoroflight.Somepeoplewithoutpossessing
geniushavearemarkablepowerofstimulatingit.Iconfess,mydearfellow,thatIamverymuch
inyourdebt."
Hehadneversaidasmuchbefore,andImustadmitthathiswordsgavemekeenpleasure,for
I had often been piqued by his indifference to my admiration and to the attempts which I had
madetogivepublicitytohismethods.Iwasproud,too,tothinkthatIhadsofarmasteredhis
systemastoapplyitinawaywhichearnedhisapproval.Henowtookthestickfrommyhands
andexamineditforafewminuteswithhisnakedeyes.Then withanexpressionofinteresthe
laid down his cigarette, and carrying the cane to the window, he looked over it again with a
convexlens.
"Interesting,thoughelementary,"saidheashereturnedtohisfavouritecorner of the settee.
"There are certainly one or two indications upon the stick. It gives us the basis for several
deductions."
"Hasanythingescapedme?"Iaskedwithsomeselfimportance."Itrustthatthereisnothing
ofconsequencewhichIhaveoverlooked?"
"Iamafraid,mydearWatson,thatmostofyourconclusionswereerroneous.WhenIsaidthat
youstimulatedmeImeant,tobefrank,thatinnotingyourfallaciesIwasoccasionallyguided
towardsthetruth.Notthatyouareentirelywronginthisinstance.Themaniscertainlyacountry
practitioner.Andhewalksagooddeal."
"ThenIwasright."
"Tothatextent."
"Butthatwasall."
"No, no, my dear Watson, not allby no means all. I would suggest, for example, that a
presentationtoadoctorismorelikelytocomefromahospitalthanfromahunt,andthatwhen
theinitials'C.C.'areplacedbeforethathospitalthewords'CharingCross'verynaturallysuggest
themselves."
"Youmayberight."
"Theprobabilityliesinthatdirection.Andifwetakethisasaworking hypothesiswehavea
freshbasisfromwhichtostartourconstructionofthisunknownvisitor."
"Well, then, supposing that 'C.C.H.' does stand for 'Charing Cross Hospital,' what further
inferencesmaywedraw?"
"Dononesuggestthemselves?Youknowmymethods.Applythem!"
"Icanonlythinkoftheobviousconclusionthatthemanhaspractisedintownbeforegoingto
thecountry."
"I think that we might venture a little farther than this. Look at it in this light. On what
occasionwoulditbemostprobablethatsuchapresentation would be made?When would his
friends unite to give him a pledge of their good will? Obviously at the moment when Dr.
Mortimerwithdrewfromtheserviceofthehospitalinordertostartapracticeforhimself. We
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knowtherehasbeenapresentation.Webelievetherehasbeenachangefromatownhospitalto
acountrypractice.Isit,then,stretchingourinferencetoofartosaythatthepresentationwason
theoccasionofthechange?"
"Itcertainlyseemsprobable."
"Now,youwillobservethathecouldnothavebeenonthestaffofthehospital,sinceonlya
manwellestablishedinaLondonpracticecouldholdsuchaposition,andsuchaonewouldnot
driftintothecountry.Whatwashe,then?Ifhewasinthehospitalandyetnotonthestaffhe
couldonlyhavebeenahousesurgeonorahousephysicianlittlemorethanaseniorstudent.
And he left five years agothe date is on the stick. So your grave, middleaged family
practitioner vanishes into thin air, my dear Watson, and there emerges a young fellow under
thirty,amiable,unambitious,absentminded,andthepossessorofafavouritedog,whichIshould
describeroughlyasbeinglargerthanaterrierandsmallerthanamastiff."
IlaughedincredulouslyasSherlockHolmesleanedbackinhissetteeandblewlittlewavering
ringsofsmokeuptotheceiling.
"Astothelatterpart,Ihavenomeansofcheckingyou,"saidI,"butatleastitisnotdifficultto
findoutafewparticularsabouttheman'sageandprofessionalcareer."Frommysmallmedical
shelfItookdowntheMedicalDirectoryandturnedupthename.TherewereseveralMortimers,
butonlyonewhocouldbeourvisitor.Ireadhisrecordaloud.
"Mortimer,James,M.R.C.S.,1882,Grimpen,Dartmoor,Devon.
Housesurgeon,from1882to1884,atCharingCrossHospital.
WinneroftheJacksonprizeforComparativePathology,
withessayentitled'IsDiseaseaReversion?'Corresponding
memberoftheSwedishPathologicalSociety.Authorof
'SomeFreaksofAtavism'(Lancet1882).'DoWeProgress?'
(JournalofPsychology,March,1883).MedicalOfficer
fortheparishesofGrimpen,Thorsley,andHighBarrow."
"No mention of that local hunt, Watson," said Holmes with a mischievous smile, "but a
countrydoctor,asyouveryastutelyobserved.IthinkthatIamfairlyjustifiedinmyinferences.
Astotheadjectives,Isaid,ifIrememberright,amiable,unambitious,andabsentminded.Itis
myexperience that it is only an amiable man in this world who receives testimonials,onlyan
unambitiousonewhoabandonsaLondoncareerforthecountry,andonlyanabsentmindedone
wholeaveshisstickandnothisvisitingcardafterwaitinganhourinyourroom."
"Andthedog?"
"Hasbeeninthehabitofcarryingthisstickbehindhismaster.Beingaheavystickthedoghas
heldittightlybythemiddle,andthemarksofhisteethareveryplainlyvisible.Thedog'sjaw,as
showninthespacebetweenthesemarks,istoobroadinmyopinionforaterrierandnotbroad
enoughforamastiff.Itmayhavebeenyes,byJove,itisacurlyhairedspaniel."
He had risen and paced the room as he spoke. Now he halted in the recess of the window.
TherewassucharingofconvictioninhisvoicethatIglancedupinsurprise.
"Mydearfellow,howcanyoupossiblybesosureofthat?"
"FortheverysimplereasonthatIseethedoghimselfonourverydoorstep,andthereisthe
ringofitsowner.Don'tmove,Ibegyou,Watson.Heisaprofessionalbrotherofyours,andyour
presencemaybeofassistance to me. Now is the dramatic moment of fate,Watson, when you
hearastepuponthestairwhichiswalkingintoyourlife,andyouknownotwhetherforgoodor
ill.WhatdoesDr.JamesMortimer,themanofscience,askofSherlockHolmes,thespecialistin
crime?Comein!"
The appearance of our visitor was a surprise to me, since I had expected a typical country
practitioner.Hewasaverytall,thinman,withalongnoselikeabeak,whichjuttedoutbetween
two keen, gray eyes, set closely together and sparkling brightly from behind a pair of gold
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rimmedglasses.Hewascladinaprofessionalbutratherslovenlyfashion,forhisfrockcoatwas
dingyandhistrousersfrayed.Thoughyoung,hislongbackwasalreadybowed,andhewalked
withaforwardthrustofhisheadandageneralairofpeeringbenevolence.Asheenteredhiseyes
felluponthestickinHolmes'shand,andherantowardsitwithanexclamationofjoy."Iamso
veryglad,"saidhe."IwasnotsurewhetherIhadleftithereorintheShippingOffice.Iwould
notlosethatstickfortheworld."
"Apresentation,Isee,"saidHolmes.
"Yes,sir."
"FromCharingCrossHospital?"
"Fromoneortwofriendsthereontheoccasionofmymarriage."
"Dear,dear,that'sbad!"saidHolmes,shakinghishead.
Dr.Mortimerblinkedthroughhisglassesinmildastonishment."Whywasitbad?"
"Onlythatyouhavedisarrangedourlittledeductions.Yourmarriage,yousay?"
"Yes,sir.Imarried,andsoleftthehospital,andwithitallhopesofaconsultingpractice.It
wasnecessarytomakeahomeofmyown."
"Come,come,wearenotsofarwrong,afterall,"saidHolmes."Andnow,Dr.JamesMortimer
"
"Mister,sir,MisterahumbleM.R.C.S."
"Andamanofprecisemind,evidently."
"Adabblerinscience,Mr.Holmes,apickerupofshellsontheshoresof thegreatunknown
ocean.IpresumethatitisMr.SherlockHolmeswhomIamaddressingandnot"
"No,thisismyfriendDr.Watson."
"Glad to meet you, sir. I have heard your name mentioned in connection with that of your
friend.Youinterestmeverymuch,Mr.Holmes.Ihadhardlyexpectedsodolichocephalicaskull
or such wellmarked supraorbital development.Would you have any objection to my running
my finger along your parietal fissure?A cast of your skull, sir, until the original is available,
wouldbeanornamenttoanyanthropologicalmuseum.Itisnotmyintentiontobefulsome,butI
confessthatIcovetyourskull."
SherlockHolmeswavedourstrangevisitorintoachair."Youareanenthusiastinyourlineof
thought,Iperceive,sir,asIaminmine,"saidhe."Iobservefromyourforefingerthatyoumake
yourowncigarettes.Havenohesitationinlightingone."
The man drew out paper and tobacco and twirled the one up in the other with surprising
dexterity.Hehadlong,quiveringfingersasagileandrestlessastheantennaeofaninsect.
Holmeswassilent,buthislittledartingglancesshowedmetheinterestwhichhetookinour
curiouscompanion."Ipresume,sir,"saidheatlast,"that it was not merely for the purpose of
examiningmyskullthatyouhavedonemethehonourtocallherelastnightandagaintoday?"
"No,sir,nothoughIamhappytohavehadtheopportunityofdoingthataswell.Icameto
you,Mr.Holmes,becauseIrecognizedthatIammyselfanunpracticalmanandbecauseIam
suddenlyconfrontedwithamostseriousandextraordinaryproblem.Recognizing,asIdo,that
youarethesecondhighestexpertinEurope"
"Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour to be the first?" asked Holmes with some
asperity.
"TothemanofpreciselyscientificmindtheworkofMonsieurBertillonmustalwaysappeal
strongly."
"Thenhadyounotbetterconsulthim?"
"Isaid,sir,tothepreciselyscientificmind.Butasapracticalmanofaffairsitisacknowledged
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thatyoustandalone.Itrust,sir,thatIhavenotinadvertently"
"Justalittle,"saidHolmes."Ithink,Dr.Mortimer,youwoulddowiselyifwithoutmoreado
youwouldkindlytellmeplainlywhattheexactnatureoftheproblemisinwhichyoudemand
myassistance."
Chapter2.TheCurseoftheBaskervilles
"Ihaveinmypocketamanuscript,"saidDr.JamesMortimer.
"Iobserveditasyouenteredtheroom,"saidHolmes.
"Itisanoldmanuscript."
"Earlyeighteenthcentury,unlessitisaforgery."
"Howcanyousaythat,sir?"
"Youhavepresentedaninchortwoofittomyexaminationallthetimethat you have been
talking.Itwouldbeapoorexpertwhocouldnotgivethedateofadocumentwithinadecadeor
so.Youmaypossiblyhavereadmylittlemonographuponthesubject.Iputthatat1730."
"Theexactdateis1742."Dr.Mortimerdrewitfromhisbreastpocket."Thisfamilypaperwas
committed to my care by Sir Charles Baskerville, whose sudden and tragic death some three
monthsagocreatedsomuchexcitementinDevonshire.ImaysaythatIwashispersonalfriend
as well as his medical attendant. He was a strongminded man, sir, shrewd, practical, and as
unimaginative as I am myself. Yet he took this document very seriously, and his mind was
preparedforjustsuchanendasdideventuallyovertakehim."
Holmes stretched out his hand for the manuscript and flattened it upon his knee. "You will
observe,Watson,thealternativeuseofthelongsandthe short.Itisoneofseveralindications
whichenabledmetofixthedate."
Ilookedoverhisshoulderattheyellowpaperandthefadedscript.At theheadwaswritten:
"BaskervilleHall,"andbelowinlarge,scrawlingfigures:"1742."
"Itappearstobeastatementofsomesort."
"Yes,itisastatementofacertainlegendwhichrunsintheBaskervillefamily."
"But I understand that it is something more modern and practical upon which you wish to
consultme?"
"Mostmodern.Amostpractical,pressingmatter,whichmustbedecided withintwentyfour
hours. But the manuscript is short and is intimately connected with the affair. With your
permissionIwillreadittoyou."
Holmesleanedbackinhischair,placedhisfingertipstogether,andclosedhiseyes,withan
airofresignation.Dr.Mortimerturnedthemanuscripttothelightandreadinahigh,cracking
voicethefollowingcurious,oldworldnarrative:
"OftheoriginoftheHoundoftheBaskervillesthere
havebeenmanystatements,yetasIcomeinadirect
linefromHugoBaskerville,andasIhadthestoryfrom
myfather,whoalsohaditfromhis,Ihavesetitdown
withallbeliefthatitoccurredevenasishereset
forth.AndIwouldhaveyoubelieve,mysons,thatthe
sameJusticewhichpunishessinmayalsomostgraciously
forgiveit,andthatnobanissoheavybutthatbyprayer
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andrepentanceitmayberemoved.Learnthenfromthis
storynottofearthefruitsofthepast,butratherto
becircumspectinthefuture,thatthosefoulpassions
wherebyourfamilyhassufferedsogrievouslymaynot
againbeloosedtoourundoing.
"KnowthenthatinthetimeoftheGreatRebellion(the
historyofwhichbythelearnedLordClarendonImost
earnestlycommendtoyourattention)thisManorof
BaskervillewasheldbyHugoofthatname,norcanitbe
gainsaidthathewasamostwild,profane,andgodless
man.This,intruth,hisneighboursmighthavepardoned,
seeingthatsaintshaveneverflourishedinthoseparts,
buttherewasinhimacertainwantonandcruelhumour
whichmadehisnameabywordthroughtheWest.It
chancedthatthisHugocametolove(if,indeed,sodark
apassionmaybeknownundersobrightaname)thedaughter
ofayeomanwhoheldlandsneartheBaskervilleestate.
Buttheyoungmaiden,beingdiscreetandofgoodrepute,
wouldeveravoidhim,forshefearedhisevilname.So
itcametopassthatoneMichaelmasthisHugo,withfive
orsixofhisidleandwickedcompanions,stoledownupon
thefarmandcarriedoffthemaiden,herfatherand
brothersbeingfromhome,ashewellknew.Whentheyhad
broughthertotheHallthemaidenwasplacedinanupper
chamber,whileHugoandhisfriendssatdowntoalong
carouse,aswastheirnightlycustom.Now,thepoorlass
upstairswasliketohaveherwitsturnedatthesinging
andshoutingandterribleoathswhichcameuptoherfrom
below,fortheysaythatthewordsusedbyHugoBaskerville,
whenhewasinwine,weresuchasmightblastthemanwho
saidthem.Atlastinthestressofherfearshedidthat
whichmighthavedauntedthebravestormostactiveman,
forbytheaidofthegrowthofivywhichcovered(and
stillcovers)thesouthwallshecamedownfromunderthe
eaves,andsohomewardacrossthemoor,therebeingthree
leaguesbetwixttheHallandherfather'sfarm.
"ItchancedthatsomelittletimelaterHugolefthis
gueststocarryfoodanddrinkwithotherworsethings,
perchancetohiscaptive,andsofoundthecageempty
andthebirdescaped.Then,asitwouldseem,hebecame
asonethathathadevil,for,rushingdownthestairs
intothedininghall,hespranguponthegreattable,
flagonsandtrenchersflyingbeforehim,andhecried
aloudbeforeallthecompanythathewouldthatvery
nightrenderhisbodyandsoultothePowersofEvilif
hemightbutovertakethewench.Andwhiletherevellers
stoodaghastatthefuryoftheman,onemorewickedor,
itmaybe,moredrunkenthantherest,criedoutthat
theyshouldputthehoundsuponher.WhereatHugoran
fromthehouse,cryingtohisgroomsthattheyshould
saddlehismareandunkennelthepack,andgivingthe
houndsakerchiefofthemaid's,heswungthemtothe
line,andsoofffullcryinthemoonlightoverthemoor.
"Now,forsomespacetherevellersstoodagape,unable
tounderstandallthathadbeendoneinsuchhaste.But
anontheirbemusedwitsawoketothenatureofthedeed
whichwasliketobedoneuponthemoorlands.Everything
wasnowinanuproar,somecallingfortheirpistols,
somefortheirhorses,andsomeforanotherflaskof
wine.Butatlengthsomesensecamebacktotheircrazed
minds,andthewholeofthem,thirteeninnumber,took
horseandstartedinpursuit.Themoonshoneclearabove
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them,andtheyrodeswiftlyabreast,takingthatcourse
whichthemaidmustneedshavetakenifsheweretoreach
herownhome.
"Theyhadgoneamileortwowhentheypassedoneofthe
nightshepherdsuponthemoorlands,andtheycriedto
himtoknowifhehadseenthehunt.Andtheman,as
thestorygoes,wassocrazedwithfearthathecould
scarcespeak,butatlasthesaidthathehadindeedseen
theunhappymaiden,withthehoundsuponhertrack.'But
Ihaveseenmorethanthat,'saidhe,'forHugoBaskerville
passedmeuponhisblackmare,andthereranmutebehind
himsuchahoundofhellasGodforbidshouldeverbeat
myheels.'Sothedrunkensquirescursedtheshepherd
androdeonward.Butsoontheirskinsturnedcold,for
therecameagallopingacrossthemoor,andtheblack
mare,dabbledwithwhitefroth,wentpastwithtrailing
bridleandemptysaddle.Thentherevellersrodeclose
together,foragreatfearwasonthem,buttheystill
followedoverthemoor,thougheach,hadhebeenalone,
wouldhavebeenrightgladtohaveturnedhishorse's
head.Ridingslowlyinthisfashiontheycameatlast
uponthehounds.These,thoughknownfortheirvalour
andtheirbreed,werewhimperinginaclusteratthe
headofadeepdiporgoyal,aswecallit,uponthe
moor,someslinkingawayandsome,withstartinghackles
andstaringeyes,gazingdownthenarrowvalleybeforethem.
"Thecompanyhadcometoahalt,moresobermen,asyou
mayguess,thanwhentheystarted.Themostofthem
wouldbynomeansadvance,butthreeofthem,theboldest,
oritmaybethemostdrunken,rodeforwarddownthegoyal.
Now,itopenedintoabroadspaceinwhichstoodtwoof
thosegreatstones,stilltobeseenthere,whichwere
setbycertainforgottenpeoplesinthedaysofold.
Themoonwasshiningbrightupontheclearing,andthere
inthecentrelaytheunhappymaidwhereshehadfallen,
deadoffearandoffatigue.Butitwasnotthesight
ofherbody,noryetwasitthatofthebodyofHugo
Baskervillelyingnearher,whichraisedthehairupon
theheadsofthesethreedaredevilroysterers,butit
wasthat,standingoverHugo,andpluckingathisthroat,
therestoodafoulthing,agreat,blackbeast,shaped
likeahound,yetlargerthananyhoundthatevermortal
eyehasrestedupon.Andevenastheylookedthething
torethethroatoutofHugoBaskerville,onwhich,asit
turneditsblazingeyesanddrippingjawsuponthem,the
threeshriekedwithfearandrodefordearlife,still
screaming,acrossthemoor.One,itissaid,diedthat
verynightofwhathehadseen,andtheothertwainwere
butbrokenmenfortherestoftheirdays.
"Suchisthetale,mysons,ofthecomingofthehound
whichissaidtohaveplaguedthefamilysosorelyever
since.IfIhavesetitdownitisbecausethatwhich
isclearlyknownhathlessterrorthanthatwhichisbut
hintedatandguessed.Norcanitbedeniedthatmany
ofthefamilyhavebeenunhappyintheirdeaths,which
havebeensudden,bloody,andmysterious.Yetmaywe
shelterourselvesintheinfinitegoodnessofProvidence,
whichwouldnotforeverpunishtheinnocentbeyondthat
thirdorfourthgenerationwhichisthreatenedinHoly
Writ.TothatProvidence,mysons,Iherebycommend
you,andIcounselyoubywayofcautiontoforbearfrom
crossingthemoorinthosedarkhourswhenthepowersof
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evilareexalted.
"[ThisfromHugoBaskervilletohissonsRodgerandJohn,
withinstructionsthattheysaynothingthereoftotheir
sisterElizabeth.]"
WhenDr.Mortimerhadfinishedreadingthissingularnarrativehepushedhisspectaclesupon
hisforeheadandstaredacrossatMr.SherlockHolmes.Thelatteryawnedandtossedtheendof
hiscigaretteintothefire.
"Well?"saidhe.
"Doyounotfinditinteresting?"
"Toacollectoroffairytales."
Dr.Mortimerdrewafoldednewspaperoutofhispocket.
"Now,Mr.Holmes,wewillgiveyousomethingalittlemorerecent.ThisistheDevonCounty
ChronicleofMay14thofthisyear.ItisashortaccountofthefactselicitedatthedeathofSir
CharlesBaskervillewhichoccurredafewdaysbeforethatdate."
Myfriendleanedalittleforwardandhisexpressionbecameintent.Ourvisitorreadjustedhis
glassesandbegan:
"TherecentsuddendeathofSirCharlesBaskerville,whose
namehasbeenmentionedastheprobableLiberalcandidate
forMidDevonatthenextelection,hascastagloomover
thecounty.ThoughSirCharleshadresidedatBaskerville
Hallforacomparativelyshortperiodhisamiabilityof
characterandextremegenerosityhadwontheaffection
andrespectofallwhohadbeenbroughtintocontactwith
him.Inthesedaysofnouveauxrichesitisrefreshing
tofindacasewherethescionofanoldcountyfamily
whichhasfallenuponevildaysisabletomakehisown
fortuneandtobringitbackwithhimtorestorethe
fallengrandeurofhisline.SirCharles,asiswellknown,
madelargesumsofmoneyinSouthAfricanspeculation.
Morewisethanthosewhogoonuntilthewheelturns
againstthem,herealizedhisgainsandreturnedtoEngland
withthem.Itisonlytwoyearssincehetookuphis
residenceatBaskervilleHall,anditiscommontalkhow
largewerethoseschemesofreconstructionandimprovement
whichhavebeeninterruptedbyhisdeath.Beinghimself
childless,itwashisopenlyexpresseddesirethatthe
wholecountrysideshould,withinhisownlifetime,profit
byhisgoodfortune,andmanywillhavepersonalreasons
forbewailinghisuntimelyend.Hisgenerousdonations
tolocalandcountycharitieshavebeenfrequently
chronicledinthesecolumns.
"ThecircumstancesconnectedwiththedeathofSirCharles
cannotbesaidtohavebeenentirelyclearedupbythe
inquest,butatleastenoughhasbeendonetodisposeof
thoserumourstowhichlocalsuperstitionhasgivenrise.
Thereisnoreasonwhatevertosuspectfoulplay,orto
imaginethatdeathcouldbefromanybutnaturalcauses.
SirCharleswasawidower,andamanwhomaybesaidto
havebeeninsomewaysofaneccentrichabitofmind.
Inspiteofhisconsiderablewealthhewassimpleinhis
personaltastes,andhisindoorservantsatBaskerville
HallconsistedofamarriedcouplenamedBarrymore,the
husbandactingasbutlerandthewifeashousekeeper.
Theirevidence,corroboratedbythatofseveralfriends,
tendstoshowthatSirCharles'shealthhasforsometime
beenimpaired,andpointsespeciallytosomeaffection
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oftheheart,manifestingitselfinchangesofcolour,
breathlessness,andacuteattacksofnervousdepression.
Dr.JamesMortimer,thefriendandmedicalattendantof
thedeceased,hasgivenevidencetothesameeffect.
"Thefactsofthecasearesimple.SirCharlesBaskerville
wasinthehabiteverynightbeforegoingtobedofwalking
downthefamousyewalleyofBaskervilleHall.Theevidence
oftheBarrymoresshowsthatthishadbeenhiscustom.
OnthefourthofMaySirCharleshaddeclaredhisintention
ofstartingnextdayforLondon,andhadorderedBarrymore
topreparehisluggage.Thatnighthewentoutasusual
forhisnocturnalwalk,inthecourseofwhichhewasin
thehabitofsmokingacigar.Heneverreturned.At
twelveo'clockBarrymore,findingthehalldoorstillopen,
becamealarmed,and,lightingalantern,wentinsearch
ofhismaster.Thedayhadbeenwet,andSirCharles's
footmarkswereeasilytraceddownthealley.Halfwaydown
thiswalkthereisagatewhichleadsoutontothemoor.
TherewereindicationsthatSirCharleshadstoodforsome
littletimehere.Hethenproceededdownthealley,and
itwasatthefarendofitthathisbodywasdiscovered.
Onefactwhichhasnotbeenexplainedisthestatement
ofBarrymorethathismaster'sfootprintsalteredtheir
characterfromthetimethathepassedthemoorgate,and
thatheappearedfromthenceonwardtohavebeenwalking
uponhistoes.OneMurphy,agipsyhorsedealer,wason
themooratnogreatdistanceatthetime,butheappears
byhisownconfessiontohavebeentheworsefordrink.
Hedeclaresthatheheardcriesbutisunabletostate
fromwhatdirectiontheycame.Nosignsofviolencewere
tobediscovereduponSirCharles'sperson,andthough
thedoctor'sevidencepointedtoanalmostincredible
facialdistortionsogreatthatDr.Mortimerrefusedat
firsttobelievethatitwasindeedhisfriendandpatient
wholaybeforehimitwasexplainedthatthatisasymptom
whichisnotunusualincasesofdyspnoeaanddeathfrom
cardiacexhaustion.Thisexplanationwasborneoutby
thepostmortemexamination,whichshowedlongstanding
organicdisease,andthecoroner'sjuryreturneda
verdictinaccordancewiththemedicalevidence.Itis
wellthatthisisso,foritisobviouslyoftheutmost
importancethatSirCharles'sheirshouldsettleatthe
Hallandcontinuethegoodworkwhichhasbeensosadly
interrupted.Hadtheprosaicfindingofthecoronernot
finallyputanendtotheromanticstorieswhichhavebeen
whisperedinconnectionwiththeaffair,itmighthavebeen
difficulttofindatenantforBaskervilleHall.Itis
understoodthatthenextofkinisMr.HenryBaskerville,
ifhebestillalive,thesonofSirCharlesBaskerville's
youngerbrother.Theyoungmanwhenlastheardofwas
inAmerica,andinquiriesarebeinginstitutedwitha
viewtoinforminghimofhisgoodfortune."
Dr.Mortimerrefoldedhispaperandreplaceditinhispocket."Thosearethepublicfacts,Mr.
Holmes,inconnectionwiththedeathofSirCharlesBaskerville."
"Imustthankyou,"saidSherlockHolmes,"forcallingmyattentiontoacasewhichcertainly
presents some features of interest. I had observed some newspaper comment at the time, but I
was exceedingly preoccupied by that little affair of the Vatican cameos, and in my anxiety to
obligethePopeIlosttouchwithseveralinterestingEnglishcases.Thisarticle,yousay,contains
allthepublicfacts?"
"Itdoes."
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"Thenletmehavetheprivateones."Heleanedback,puthisfingertipstogether,andassumed
hismostimpassiveandjudicialexpression.
"Indoingso,"saidDr.Mortimer,whohadbeguntoshowsignsofsomestrongemotion,"Iam
tellingthatwhichIhavenotconfidedtoanyone.Mymotiveforwithholdingitfromthecoroner's
inquiryisthatamanofscienceshrinksfromplacinghimselfinthepublicpositionofseemingto
indorseapopularsuperstition.IhadthefurthermotivethatBaskervilleHall,asthepapersays,
would certainly remain untenanted if anything were done to increase its already rather grim
reputation.ForboththesereasonsIthoughtthatIwasjustifiedintellingratherlessthanIknew,
sincenopracticalgoodcouldresultfromit,butwithyouthereisnoreasonwhyIshouldnotbe
perfectlyfrank.
"The moor is very sparsely inhabited, and those who live near each other are thrown very
muchtogether.ForthisreasonIsawagooddealofSirCharlesBaskerville.Withtheexception
of Mr. Frankland, of Lafter Hall, and Mr. Stapleton, the naturalist, there are no other men of
education within many miles. Sir Charles was a retiring man, but the chance of his illness
brought us together, and a community of interests in science kept us so. He had brought back
much scientific information from SouthAfrica, and many a charming evening we have spent
togetherdiscussingthecomparativeanatomyoftheBushmanandtheHottentot.
"Within the last few months it became increasingly plain to me that Sir Charles's nervous
system was strained to the breaking point. He had taken this legend which I have read you
exceedingly to heartso much so that, although he would walk in his own grounds, nothing
would induce him to go out upon the moor at night. Incredible as it may appear to you, Mr.
Holmes, he was honestly convinced that a dreadful fate overhung his family, and certainly the
records which he was able to give of his ancestors were not encouraging. The idea of some
ghastly presence constantly haunted him, and on more than one occasion he has asked me
whetherIhadonmymedicaljourneysatnighteverseenanystrangecreatureorheardthebaying
of a hound. The latter question he put to me several times, and always with a voice which
vibratedwithexcitement.
"Icanwellrememberdrivinguptohishouseintheeveningsomethreeweeksbeforethefatal
event.Hechancedtobeathishalldoor.Ihaddescendedfrommygigandwasstandinginfront
of him, when I saw his eyes fix themselves over my shoulder and stare past me with an
expressionofthemostdreadfulhorror.Iwhiskedroundandhadjusttimetocatchaglimpseof
somethingwhichItooktobealargeblackcalfpassingattheheadofthedrive.Soexcitedand
alarmedwashethatIwascompelledtogodowntothespotwheretheanimalhadbeenandlook
around for it. It was gone, however, and the incident appeared to make the worst impression
upon his mind. I stayed with him all the evening, and it was on that occasion, to explain the
emotionwhichhehadshown,thatheconfidedtomykeepingthatnarrativewhichIreadtoyou
whenfirstIcame.Imentionthissmallepisodebecauseitassumessomeimportanceinviewof
thetragedywhichfollowed,butIwasconvincedatthetimethatthematterwasentirelytrivial
andthathisexcitementhadnojustification.
"It was at my advice that Sir Charles was about to go to London. His heart was, I knew,
affected,andtheconstantanxietyinwhichhelived,howeverchimericalthecauseofitmightbe,
was evidently having a serious effect upon his health. I thought that a few months among the
distractionsoftownwouldsendhimbackanewman.Mr.Stapleton,amutualfriendwhowas
much concerned at his state of health, was of the same opinion.At the last instant came this
terriblecatastrophe.
"On the night of Sir Charles's death Barrymore the butler, who made the discovery, sent
Perkins the groom on horseback to me, and as I was sitting up late I was able to reach
BaskervilleHallwithinanhouroftheevent.Icheckedandcorroboratedallthefactswhichwere
mentionedattheinquest.Ifollowedthefootstepsdowntheyewalley,Isawthespotatthemoor
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gatewhereheseemedtohavewaited,Iremarkedthechangeintheshapeoftheprintsafterthat
point,InotedthattherewerenootherfootstepssavethoseofBarrymoreonthesoftgravel,and
finallyIcarefullyexaminedthebody,whichhadnotbeentoucheduntilmyarrival.SirCharles
lay on his face, his arms out, his fingers dug into the ground, and his features convulsed with
somestrongemotiontosuchanextentthatIcouldhardlyhavesworntohisidentity.Therewas
certainlynophysicalinjuryofanykind.ButonefalsestatementwasmadebyBarrymoreatthe
inquest.Hesaidthattherewerenotracesuponthegroundroundthebody.Hedidnotobserve
any.ButIdidsomelittledistanceoff,butfreshandclear."
"Footprints?"
"Footprints."
"Aman'sorawoman's?"
Dr.Mortimerlookedstrangelyatusforaninstant,andhisvoicesankalmosttoawhisperas
heanswered.
"Mr.Holmes,theywerethefootprintsofagigantichound!"
Chapter3.TheProblem
Iconfessatthesewordsashudderpassedthroughme.Therewasathrillinthedoctor'svoice
which showed that he was himself deeply moved by that which he told us. Holmes leaned
forwardinhisexcitementandhiseyeshadthehard,dryglitterwhichshotfromthemwhenhe
waskeenlyinterested.
"Yousawthis?"
"AsclearlyasIseeyou."
"Andyousaidnothing?"
"Whatwastheuse?"
"Howwasitthatnooneelsesawit?"
"Themarksweresometwentyyardsfromthebodyandnoonegavethemathought.Idon't
supposeIshouldhavedonesohadInotknownthislegend."
"Therearemanysheepdogsonthemoor?"
"Nodoubt,butthiswasnosheepdog."
"Yousayitwaslarge?"
"Enormous."
"Butithadnotapproachedthebody?"
"No."
"Whatsortofnightwasit?'
"Dampandraw."
"Butnotactuallyraining?"
"No."
"Whatisthealleylike?"
"There are two lines of old yew hedge, twelve feet high and impenetrable. The walk in the
centreisabouteightfeetacross."
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"Isthereanythingbetweenthehedgesandthewalk?"
"Yes,thereisastripofgrassaboutsixfeetbroadoneitherside."
"Iunderstandthattheyewhedgeispenetratedatonepointbyagate?"
"Yes,thewicketgatewhichleadsontothemoor."
"Isthereanyotheropening?"
"None."
"Sothattoreachtheyewalleyoneeitherhastocomedownitfromthehouseorelsetoenterit
bythemoorgate?"
"Thereisanexitthroughasummerhouseatthefarend."
"HadSirCharlesreachedthis?"
"Nohelayaboutfiftyyardsfromit."
"Now,tellme,Dr.Mortimerandthisisimportantthemarkswhich you sawwereonthe
pathandnotonthegrass?"
"Nomarkscouldshowonthegrass."
"Weretheyonthesamesideofthepathasthemoorgate?"
"Yestheywereontheedgeofthepathonthesamesideasthemoorgate."
"Youinterestmeexceedingly.Anotherpoint.Wasthewicketgateclosed?"
"Closedandpadlocked."
"Howhighwasit?"
"Aboutfourfeethigh."
"Thenanyonecouldhavegotoverit?"
"Yes."
"Andwhatmarksdidyouseebythewicketgate?"
"Noneinparticular."
"Goodheaven!Didnooneexamine?"
"Yes,Iexamined,myself."
"Andfoundnothing?"
"Itwasallveryconfused.SirCharleshadevidentlystoodthereforfiveortenminutes."
"Howdoyouknowthat?"
"Becausetheashhadtwicedroppedfromhiscigar."
"Excellent!Thisisacolleague,Watson,afterourownheart.Butthemarks?"
"Hehadlefthisownmarksalloverthatsmallpatchofgravel.Icoulddiscernnoothers."
SherlockHolmesstruckhishandagainsthiskneewithanimpatientgesture.
"IfIhadonlybeenthere!"hecried."Itisevidentlyacaseofextraordinaryinterest,andone
whichpresentedimmenseopportunitiestothescientificexpert.ThatgravelpageuponwhichI
mighthavereadsomuchhasbeenlongerethissmudgedbytherainanddefacedbytheclogsof
curiouspeasants.Oh,Dr.Mortimer,Dr.Mortimer,tothinkthatyoushouldnothavecalledme
in!Youhaveindeedmuchtoanswerfor."
"Icouldnotcallyouin,Mr.Holmes,withoutdisclosingthesefactstotheworld,andIhave
alreadygivenmyreasonsfornotwishingtodoso.Besides,besides"
"Whydoyouhesitate?"
"Thereisarealminwhichthemostacuteandmostexperiencedofdetectivesishelpless."
"Youmeanthatthethingissupernatural?"
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"Ididnotpositivelysayso."
"No,butyouevidentlythinkit."
"Sincethetragedy,Mr.Holmes,therehavecometomyearsseveralincidentswhicharehard
toreconcilewiththesettledorderofNature."
"Forexample?"
"Ifindthatbeforetheterribleeventoccurredseveralpeoplehadseenacreatureuponthemoor
which corresponds with this Baskerville demon, and which could not possibly be any animal
knowntoscience.Theyallagreedthatitwasahugecreature,luminous,ghastly,andspectral.I
havecrossexaminedthesemen,oneofthemahardheadedcountryman,oneafarrier,andonea
moorlandfarmer,whoalltellthesamestoryofthisdreadfulapparition,exactlycorrespondingto
thehellhoundofthelegend.Iassureyouthatthereisareignofterrorinthedistrict,andthatit
isahardymanwhowillcrossthemooratnight."
"Andyou,atrainedmanofscience,believeittobesupernatural?"
"Idonotknowwhattobelieve."
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. "I have hitherto confined my investigations to this world,"
saidhe."InamodestwayIhavecombatedevil,buttotakeontheFatherofEvilhimselfwould,
perhaps,betooambitiousatask.Yetyoumustadmitthatthefootmarkismaterial."
"Theoriginalhoundwasmaterialenoughtotugaman'sthroatout,andyethewasdiabolical
aswell."
"I see that you have quite gone over to the supernaturalists. But now, Dr. Mortimer, tell me
this.Ifyouholdtheseviews,whyhaveyoucometoconsultmeatall?Youtellmeinthesame
breaththatitisuselesstoinvestigateSirCharles'sdeath,andthatyoudesiremetodoit."
"IdidnotsaythatIdesiredyoutodoit."
"Then,howcanIassistyou?"
"ByadvisingmeastowhatIshoulddowithSirHenryBaskerville,whoarrivesatWaterloo
Station"Dr.Mortimerlookedathiswatch"inexactlyonehourandaquarter."
"Hebeingtheheir?"
"Yes.OnthedeathofSirCharlesweinquiredforthisyounggentlemanandfoundthathehad
beenfarminginCanada.Fromtheaccountswhichhavereachedusheisanexcellentfellowin
everyway.IspeaknownotasamedicalmanbutasatrusteeandexecutorofSirCharles'swill."
"Thereisnootherclaimant,Ipresume?"
"None.TheonlyotherkinsmanwhomwehavebeenabletotracewasRodgerBaskerville,the
youngestofthreebrothersofwhompoorSirCharleswastheelder.Thesecondbrother,whodied
young,isthefatherofthisladHenry.Thethird,Rodger,wastheblacksheepofthefamily.He
cameoftheoldmasterfulBaskervillestrainandwastheveryimage,theytellme,ofthefamily
pictureofoldHugo.HemadeEnglandtoohottoholdhim,fled toCentralAmerica, anddied
therein1876ofyellowfever.HenryisthelastoftheBaskervilles.InonehourandfiveminutesI
meet him at Waterloo Station. I have had a wire that he arrived at Southampton this morning.
Now,Mr.Holmes,whatwouldyouadvisemetodowithhim?"
"Whyshouldhenotgotothehomeofhisfathers?"
"Itseemsnatural,doesitnot?Andyet,considerthateveryBaskerville whogoestheremeets
withanevilfate.IfeelsurethatifSirCharlescouldhavespokenwithmebeforehisdeathhe
wouldhavewarnedmeagainstbringingthis,thelastoftheoldrace,andtheheirtogreatwealth,
to that deadly place.And yet it cannot be denied that the prosperity of the whole poor, bleak
countrysidedependsuponhispresence.Allthegoodwork whichhasbeendonebySirCharles
willcrashtothegroundifthereisnotenantoftheHall.IfearlestIshouldbeswayedtoomuch
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bymyownobviousinterestinthematter,andthatiswhyIbringthecasebeforeyouandaskfor
youradvice."
Holmesconsideredforalittletime.
"Putintoplainwords,thematteristhis,"saidhe."Inyouropinionthereisadiabolicalagency
whichmakesDartmooranunsafeabodeforaBaskervillethatisyouropinion?"
"AtleastImightgothelengthofsayingthatthereissomeevidencethatthismaybeso."
"Exactly.Butsurely,ifyoursupernaturaltheorybecorrect,itcouldworktheyoungmanevil
in London as easily as in Devonshire. A devil with merely local powers like a parish vestry
wouldbetooinconceivableathing."
"You put the matter more flippantly, Mr. Holmes, than you would probably do if you were
broughtintopersonalcontactwiththesethings.Youradvice,then,asIunderstandit,isthatthe
youngmanwillbeassafeinDevonshireasinLondon.Hecomesinfiftyminutes.Whatwould
yourecommend?"
"Irecommend,sir,thatyoutakeacab,calloffyourspanielwhoisscratchingatmyfrontdoor,
andproceedtoWaterlootomeetSirHenryBaskerville."
"Andthen?"
"AndthenyouwillsaynothingtohimatalluntilIhavemadeupmymindaboutthematter."
"Howlongwillittakeyoutomakeupyourmind?"
"Twentyfourhours.Atteno'clocktomorrow,Dr.Mortimer,Iwillbemuch obligedtoyouif
youwillcalluponmehere,anditwillbeofhelptomein my plans for the future if you will
bringSirHenryBaskervillewithyou."
"Iwilldoso,Mr.Holmes."Hescribbledtheappointmentonhisshirtcuffandhurriedoffin
hisstrange,peering,absentmindedfashion.Holmesstoppedhimattheheadofthestair.
"Only one more question, Dr. Mortimer.You say that before Sir Charles Baskerville's death
severalpeoplesawthisapparitionuponthemoor?"
"Threepeopledid."
"Didanyseeitafter?"
"Ihavenotheardofany."
"Thankyou.Goodmorning."
Holmesreturnedtohisseatwiththatquietlookofinwardsatisfactionwhichmeantthathehad
acongenialtaskbeforehim.
"Goingout,Watson?"
"UnlessIcanhelpyou."
"No,mydearfellow,itisatthehourofactionthatIturntoyouforaid.Butthisissplendid,
reallyuniquefromsomepointsofview.WhenyoupassBradley's,wouldyouaskhimtosendup
a pound of the strongest shag tobacco? Thank you. It would be as well if you could make it
convenientnottoreturnbeforeevening.ThenIshouldbeverygladtocompareimpressionsasto
thismostinterestingproblemwhichhasbeensubmittedtousthismorning."
Iknewthatseclusionandsolitudewereverynecessaryformyfriendinthosehoursofintense
mentalconcentrationduringwhichheweighedeveryparticleofevidence,constructedalternative
theories,balancedoneagainsttheother,andmadeuphismindastowhichpointswereessential
and which immaterial. I therefore spent the day at my club and did not return to Baker Street
untilevening.Itwasnearlynineo'clockwhenIfoundmyselfinthesittingroomoncemore.
MyfirstimpressionasIopenedthedoorwasthatafirehadbrokenout,fortheroomwasso
filled with smoke that the light of the lamp upon the table was blurred by it. As I entered,
however, my fears were set at rest, for it was the acrid fumes of strong coarse tobacco which
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tookmebythethroatandsetmecoughing.ThroughthehazeIhadavaguevisionofHolmesin
his dressinggown coiled up in an armchair with his black clay pipe between his lips. Several
rollsofpaperlayaroundhim.
"Caughtcold,Watson?"saidhe.
"No,it'sthispoisonousatmosphere."
"Isupposeitisprettythick,nowthatyoumentionit."
"Thick!Itisintolerable."
"Openthewindow,then!Youhavebeenatyourcluballday,Iperceive."
"MydearHolmes!"
"AmIright?"
"Certainly,buthow?"
Helaughedatmybewilderedexpression."Thereisadelightfulfreshnessaboutyou,Watson,
which makes it a pleasure to exercise any small powers which I possess at your expense. A
gentlemangoesforthonashoweryandmiryday.Hereturnsimmaculateintheeveningwiththe
glossstillonhishatandhisboots.Hehasbeenafixturethereforeallday.Heisnotamanwith
intimatefriends.Where,then,couldhehavebeen?Isitnotobvious?"
"Well,itisratherobvious."
"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes. Where do
youthinkthatIhavebeen?"
"Afixturealso."
"Onthecontrary,IhavebeentoDevonshire."
"Inspirit?"
"Exactly.Mybodyhasremainedinthisarmchairandhas,Iregrettoobserve,consumedinmy
absencetwolargepotsofcoffeeandanincredibleamountoftobacco.AfteryouleftIsentdown
toStamford'sfortheOrdnancemapofthisportionofthemoor,andmyspirithashoveredoverit
allday.IflattermyselfthatIcouldfindmywayabout."
"Alargescalemap,Ipresume?"
"Verylarge."
Heunrolledonesectionandhelditoverhisknee."Hereyouhavetheparticulardistrictwhich
concernsus.ThatisBaskervilleHallinthemiddle."
"Withawoodroundit?"
"Exactly.Ifancytheyewalley,thoughnotmarkedunderthatname,muststretchalongthis
line,withthemoor,asyouperceive,upontherightofit.Thissmallclumpofbuildingshereis
thehamletofGrimpen,whereourfriendDr.Mortimerhashisheadquarters.Withinaradiusof
fivemilesthereare,asyousee,onlyaveryfewscattereddwellings.HereisLafterHall,which
wasmentionedinthenarrative.Thereisahouseindicatedherewhichmaybetheresidenceof
thenaturalistStapleton,ifIrememberright,washisname.Herearetwomoorlandfarmhouses,
High Tor and Foulmire. Then fourteen miles away the great convict prison of Princetown.
Betweenandaroundthesescatteredpointsextendsthedesolate,lifelessmoor.This,then,isthe
stageuponwhichtragedyhasbeenplayed,anduponwhichwemayhelptoplayitagain."
"Itmustbeawildplace."
"Yes,thesettingisaworthyone.Ifthedevildiddesiretohaveahandintheaffairsofmen"
"Thenyouareyourselfincliningtothesupernaturalexplanation."
"Thedevil'sagentsmaybeoffleshandblood,maytheynot?Therearetwoquestionswaiting
forusattheoutset.Theoneiswhetheranycrimehasbeencommittedatallthesecondis,what
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isthecrimeandhowwasitcommitted?Ofcourse,ifDr.Mortimer'ssurmiseshouldbecorrect,
and we are dealing with forces outside the ordinary laws of Nature, there is an end of our
investigation. But we are bound to exhaust all other hypotheses before falling back upon this
one.Ithinkwe'llshutthatwindowagain,ifyoudon'tmind.Itisasingularthing,butIfindthata
concentratedatmospherehelpsaconcentrationofthought.Ihavenotpushedittothelengthof
gettingintoaboxtothink,butthatisthelogicaloutcomeofmyconvictions.Haveyouturned
thecaseoverinyourmind?"
"Yes,Ihavethoughtagooddealofitinthecourseoftheday."
"Whatdoyoumakeofit?"
"Itisverybewildering."
"Ithascertainlyacharacterofitsown.Therearepointsofdistinctionaboutit.Thatchangein
thefootprints,forexample.Whatdoyoumakeofthat?"
"Mortimersaidthatthemanhadwalkedontiptoedownthatportionofthealley."
"Heonlyrepeatedwhatsomefoolhadsaidattheinquest.Whyshouldamanwalkontiptoe
downthealley?"
"Whatthen?"
"Hewasrunning,Watsonrunningdesperately,runningforhislife,runninguntilhebursthis
heartandfelldeaduponhisface."
"Runningfromwhat?"
"Thereliesourproblem.Thereareindicationsthatthemanwascrazedwithfearbeforeever
hebegantorun."
"Howcanyousaythat?"
"Iampresumingthatthecauseofhisfearscametohimacrossthemoor.Ifthatwereso,andit
seemsmostprobable,onlyamanwhohadlosthiswitswouldhaverunfromthehouseinsteadof
towardsit.Ifthegipsy'sevidencemaybetakenastrue,heranwithcriesforhelpinthedirection
wherehelpwasleastlikelytobe.Then,again,whomwashewaitingforthatnight,andwhywas
hewaitingforhimintheyewalleyratherthaninhisownhouse?"
"Youthinkthathewaswaitingforsomeone?"
"The man was elderly and infirm. We can understand his taking an evening stroll, but the
ground was damp and the night inclement. Is it natural that he should stand for five or ten
minutes, as Dr. Mortimer, with more practical sense than I should have given him credit for,
deducedfromthecigarash?"
"Buthewentouteveryevening."
"I think it unlikely that he waited at the moorgate every evening. On the contrary, the
evidenceisthatheavoidedthemoor.Thatnighthewaitedthere.Itwasthenightbeforehemade
hisdepartureforLondon.Thethingtakesshape,Watson.Itbecomescoherent.MightIaskyou
tohandmemyviolin,andwewillpostponeallfurtherthoughtuponthisbusinessuntilwehave
hadtheadvantageofmeetingDr.MortimerandSirHenryBaskervilleinthemorning."
Chapter4.SirHenryBaskerville
Our breakfast table was cleared early, and Holmes waited in his dressinggown for the
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promisedinterview.Ourclientswerepunctualtotheirappointment,fortheclockhadjuststruck
tenwhenDr.Mortimerwasshownup,followedbytheyoungbaronet.Thelatterwasasmall,
alert,darkeyedmanaboutthirtyyearsofage,verysturdilybuilt,withthickblackeyebrowsand
a strong, pugnacious face. He wore a ruddytinted tweed suit and had the weatherbeaten
appearanceofonewhohasspentmostofhistimeintheopenair,andyettherewassomethingin
hissteadyeyeandthequietassuranceofhisbearingwhichindicatedthegentleman.
"ThisisSirHenryBaskerville,"saidDr.Mortimer.
"Why,yes,"saidhe,"andthestrangethingis,Mr.SherlockHolmes,thatifmyfriendherehad
not proposed coming round to you this morning I should have come on my own account. I
understand that you think out little puzzles, and I've had one this morning which wants more
thinkingoutthanIamabletogiveit."
"Pray take a seat, Sir Henry. Do I understand you to say that you have yourself had some
remarkableexperiencesinceyouarrivedinLondon?"
"Nothingofmuchimportance,Mr.Holmes.Onlyajoke,aslikeasnot.Itwasthisletter,ifyou
cancallitaletter,whichreachedmethismorning."
Helaidanenvelopeuponthetable,andweallbentoverit.Itwasofcommonquality,grayish
in colour. The address, "Sir Henry Baskerville, Northumberland Hotel," was printed in rough
charactersthepostmark"CharingCross,"andthedateofpostingtheprecedingevening.
"Who knew that you were going to the Northumberland Hotel?" asked Holmes, glancing
keenlyacrossatourvisitor.
"Noonecouldhaveknown.WeonlydecidedafterImetDr.Mortimer."
"ButDr.Mortimerwasnodoubtalreadystoppingthere?"
"No,Ihadbeenstayingwithafriend,"saidthedoctor.
"Therewasnopossibleindicationthatweintendedtogotothishotel."
"Hum!Someoneseemstobeverydeeplyinterestedinyourmovements."Outoftheenvelope
hetookahalfsheetoffoolscappaperfoldedintofour.Thisheopenedandspreadflatuponthe
table.Across the middle of it a single sentence had been formed by the expedient of pasting
printedwordsuponit.Itran:
Asyouvalueyourlifeoryourreasonkeepawayfromthemoor.
Theword"moor"onlywasprintedinink.
"Now,"saidSirHenryBaskerville,"perhapsyouwilltellme,Mr.Holmes,whatinthunderis
themeaningofthat,andwhoitisthattakessomuchinterestinmyaffairs?"
"What do you make of it, Dr. Mortimer?You must allow that there is nothing supernatural
aboutthis,atanyrate?"
"No,sir,butitmightverywellcomefromsomeonewhowasconvincedthatthebusinessis
supernatural."
"What business?" asked Sir Henry sharply. "It seems to me that all you gentlemen know a
greatdealmorethanIdoaboutmyownaffairs."
"Youshallshareourknowledgebeforeyouleavethisroom,SirHenry.Ipromiseyouthat,"
saidSherlockHolmes."Wewillconfineourselvesforthe present with your permission to this
very interesting document, which must have been put together and posted yesterday evening.
Haveyouyesterday'sTimes,Watson?"
"Itishereinthecorner."
"Might I trouble you for itthe inside page, please, with the leading articles?" He glanced
swiftly over it, running his eyes up and down the columns. "Capital article this on free trade.
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Permitmetogiveyouanextractfromit.
'Youmaybecajoledintoimaginingthatyourownspecial
tradeoryourownindustrywillbeencouragedbya
protectivetariff,butitstandstoreasonthatsuch
legislationmustinthelongrunkeepawaywealthfromthe
country,diminishthevalueofourimports,andlowerthe
generalconditionsoflifeinthisisland.'
"Whatdoyouthinkofthat,Watson?"criedHolmesinhighglee,rubbinghishandstogether
withsatisfaction."Don'tyouthinkthatisanadmirablesentiment?"
Dr.MortimerlookedatHolmeswithanairofprofessionalinterest,andSirHenryBaskerville
turnedapairofpuzzleddarkeyesuponme.
"Idon'tknowmuchaboutthetariffandthingsofthatkind,"saidhe,"butitseemstomewe've
gotabitoffthetrailsofarasthatnoteisconcerned."
"Onthecontrary,Ithinkweareparticularlyhotuponthetrail,SirHenry.Watsonhereknows
more about my methods than you do, but I fear that even he has not quite grasped the
significanceofthissentence."
"No,IconfessthatIseenoconnection."
"Andyet,mydearWatson,thereissoverycloseaconnectionthattheoneisextractedoutof
the other. 'You,' 'your,' 'your,' 'life,' 'reason,' 'value,' 'keep away,' 'from the.' Don't you see now
whencethesewordshavebeentaken?"
"Bythunder,you'reright!Well,ifthatisn'tsmart!"criedSirHenry.
"Ifanypossibledoubtremaineditissettledbythefactthat'keepaway'and'fromthe'arecut
outinonepiece."
"Well,nowsoitis!"
"Really,Mr.Holmes,thisexceedsanythingwhichIcouldhaveimagined,"saidDr.Mortimer,
gazingatmyfriendinamazement."Icouldunderstandanyonesayingthatthewordswerefroma
newspaper but that you should name which, and add that it came from the leading article, is
reallyoneofthemostremarkablethingswhichIhaveeverknown.Howdidyoudoit?"
"Ipresume,Doctor,thatyoucouldtelltheskullofanegrofromthatofanEsquimau?"
"Mostcertainly."
"Buthow?"
"Because that is my special hobby.The differences are obvious.The supraorbital crest, the
facialangle,themaxillarycurve,the"
"But this is my special hobby, and the differences are equally obvious. There is as much
differencetomyeyesbetweentheleadedbourgeoistypeofaTimesarticleandtheslovenlyprint
ofaneveninghalfpennypaperastherecouldbebetweenyournegroandyourEsquimau.The
detectionoftypesisoneofthemostelementarybranchesofknowledgetothespecialexpertin
crime,thoughIconfessthatoncewhenIwasveryyoungIconfusedtheLeedsMercurywiththe
WesternMorningNews.ButaTimes leaderisentirelydistinctive,andthesewordscouldhave
beentakenfromnothingelse.Asitwasdoneyesterdaythestrongprobabilitywasthatweshould
findthewordsinyesterday'sissue."
"SofarasIcanfollowyou,then,Mr.Holmes,"saidSirHenryBaskerville,"someonecutout
thismessagewithascissors"
"Nailscissors,"saidHolmes."Youcanseethatitwasaveryshortbladedscissors,sincethe
cutterhadtotaketwosnipsover'keepaway.'"
"Thatisso.Someone,then,cutoutthemessagewithapairofshortbladedscissors,pastedit
withpaste"
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"Gum,"saidHolmes.
"With gum on to the paper. But I want to know why the word 'moor' should have been
written?"
"Becausehecouldnotfinditinprint.Theotherwordswereallsimpleandmightbefoundin
anyissue,but'moor'wouldbelesscommon."
"Why, of course, that would explain it. Have you read anything else in this message, Mr.
Holmes?"
"There are one or two indications, and yet the utmost pains have been taken to remove all
clues.Theaddress,youobserveisprintedinroughcharacters.ButtheTimesisapaperwhichis
seldomfoundinanyhandsbutthoseofthehighlyeducated.Wemaytakeit,therefore,thatthe
letter was composed by an educated man who wished to pose as an uneducated one, and his
effort to conceal his own writing suggests that that writing might be known, or come to be
known,byyou.Again,youwillobservethat thewordsarenotgummedoninanaccurateline,
but that someare muchhigher than others. 'Life,' for example is quite out of its proper place.
Thatmaypointtocarelessnessoritmaypointtoagitationandhurryuponthepartofthecutter.
On the whole I incline to the latter view, since the matter was evidently important, and it is
unlikelythatthecomposerofsuchaletterwouldbecareless.Ifhewereinahurryitopensupthe
interesting question why he should be in a hurry, since any letter posted up to early morning
wouldreachSirHenrybeforehewouldleavehishotel.Didthecomposerfearaninterruption
andfromwhom?"
"Wearecomingnowratherintotheregionofguesswork,"saidDr.Mortimer.
"Say,rather,intotheregionwherewebalanceprobabilitiesandchoosethemostlikely.Itisthe
scientificuseoftheimagination,butwehavealwayssomematerialbasisonwhichtostartour
speculation.Now,youwouldcallitaguess,nodoubt,butIamalmostcertainthatthisaddress
hasbeenwritteninahotel."
"Howintheworldcanyousaythat?"
"Ifyouexamineitcarefullyyouwillseethatboththepenandtheinkhavegiventhewriter
trouble. The pen has spluttered twice in a single word and has run dry three times in a short
address,showingthattherewasverylittleinkinthebottle.Now,aprivatepenorinkbottleis
seldomallowedtobeinsuchastate,andthecombinationofthetwomustbequiterare.Butyou
knowthehotelinkandthehotelpen,whereitisraretogetanythingelse.Yes,Ihaveverylittle
hesitationinsayingthatcouldweexaminethewastepaperbasketsofthehotelsaroundCharing
CrossuntilwefoundtheremainsofthemutilatedTimesleaderwecouldlayourhandsstraight
uponthepersonwhosentthissingularmessage.Halloa!Halloa!What'sthis?"
Hewascarefullyexaminingthefoolscap,uponwhichthewordswerepasted,holdingitonly
aninchortwofromhiseyes.
"Well?"
"Nothing,"saidhe,throwingitdown."Itisablankhalfsheetofpaper,withoutevenawater
markuponit.Ithinkwehavedrawnasmuchaswecanfromthiscuriousletterandnow,Sir
Henry,hasanythingelseofinteresthappenedtoyousinceyouhavebeeninLondon?"
"Why,no,Mr.Holmes.Ithinknot."
"Youhavenotobservedanyonefolloworwatchyou?"
"Iseemtohavewalkedrightintothethickofadimenovel,"saidourvisitor."Whyinthunder
shouldanyonefolloworwatchme?"
"Wearecomingtothat.Youhavenothingelsetoreporttousbeforewegointothismatter?"
"Well,itdependsuponwhatyouthinkworthreporting."
"Ithinkanythingoutoftheordinaryroutineoflifewellworthreporting."
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SirHenrysmiled."Idon'tknowmuchofBritishlifeyet,forIhavespentnearlyallmytimein
the States and in Canada. But I hope that to lose one of your boots is not part of the ordinary
routineoflifeoverhere."
"Youhavelostoneofyourboots?"
"Mydearsir,"criedDr.Mortimer,"itisonlymislaid.Youwillfinditwhenyoureturntothe
hotel.WhatistheuseoftroublingMr.Holmeswithtriflesofthiskind?"
"Well,heaskedmeforanythingoutsidetheordinaryroutine."
"Exactly,"saidHolmes,"howeverfoolishtheincidentmayseem.Youhave lostoneofyour
boots,yousay?"
"Well,mislaidit,anyhow.Iputthembothoutsidemydoorlastnight,andtherewasonlyone
inthemorning.Icouldgetnosenseoutofthechapwhocleansthem.TheworstofitisthatI
onlyboughtthepairlastnightintheStrand,andIhaveneverhadthemon."
"Ifyouhaveneverwornthem,whydidyouputthemouttobecleaned?"
"Theyweretanbootsandhadneverbeenvarnished.ThatwaswhyIputthemout."
"ThenIunderstandthatonyourarrivalinLondonyesterdayyouwentoutatonceandbought
apairofboots?"
"Ididagooddealofshopping.Dr.Mortimerherewentroundwithme.Yousee,ifIamtobe
squiredownthereImustdressthepart,anditmaybethatIhavegotalittlecarelessinmyways
outWest.Amongotherthings Iboughtthesebrownbootsgavesixdollarsforthemandhad
onestolenbeforeeverIhadthemonmyfeet."
"Itseemsasingularlyuselessthingtosteal,"saidSherlockHolmes."IconfessthatIshareDr.
Mortimer'sbeliefthatitwillnotbelongbeforethemissingbootisfound."
"And, now, gentlemen," said the baronet with decision, "it seems to me that I have spoken
quiteenoughaboutthelittlethatIknow.Itistimethatyoukeptyourpromiseandgavemeafull
accountofwhatwearealldrivingat."
"Yourrequestisaveryreasonableone,"Holmesanswered."Dr.Mortimer,Ithinkyoucould
notdobetterthantotellyourstoryasyoutoldittous."
Thus encouraged, our scientific friend drew his papers from his pocket and presented the
whole case as he had done upon the morning before. Sir Henry Baskerville listened with the
deepestattentionandwithanoccasionalexclamationofsurprise.
"Well, I seem to have come into an inheritance with a vengeance," said he when the long
narrativewasfinished."Ofcourse,I'veheardofthehoundeversinceIwasinthenursery.It'sthe
petstoryofthefamily,thoughIneverthoughtoftakingitseriouslybefore.Butastomyuncle's
deathwell,itallseemsboilingupinmyhead,andIcan'tgetitclearyet.Youdon'tseemquite
tohavemadeupyourmindwhetherit'sacaseforapolicemanoraclergyman."
"Precisely."
"Andnowthere'sthisaffairofthelettertomeatthehotel.Isupposethatfitsintoitsplace."
"Itseemstoshowthatsomeoneknowsmorethanwedoaboutwhatgoesonuponthemoor,"
saidDr.Mortimer.
"Andalso,"saidHolmes,"thatsomeoneisnotilldisposedtowardsyou,sincetheywarnyou
ofdanger."
"Oritmaybethattheywish,fortheirownpurposes,toscaremeaway."
"Well, of course, that is possible also. I am very much indebted to you, Dr. Mortimer, for
introducing me to a problem which presents several interesting alternatives. But the practical
pointwhichwenowhavetodecide,SirHenry,iswhetheritisorisnotadvisableforyoutogoto
BaskervilleHall."
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"WhyshouldInotgo?"
"Thereseemstobedanger."
"Doyoumeandangerfromthisfamilyfiendordoyoumeandangerfromhumanbeings?"
"Well,thatiswhatwehavetofindout."
"Whicheveritis,myanswerisfixed.Thereisnodevilinhell,Mr. Holmes,andthereisno
manuponearthwhocanpreventmefromgoingtothehomeofmyownpeople,andyoumay
takethattobemyfinalanswer."Hisdarkbrowsknittedandhisfaceflushedtoaduskyredashe
spoke.ItwasevidentthatthefierytemperoftheBaskervilleswasnotextinctinthistheirlast
representative."Meanwhile,"saidhe,"Ihavehardlyhadtimetothinkoverallthatyouhavetold
me.It'sabigthingforamantohavetounderstandandtodecideatonesitting.Ishouldliketo
havea quiet hour by myself to make up my mind. Now, look here, Mr. Holmes, it's halfpast
eleven now and I am going back right away to my hotel. Suppose you and your friend, Dr.
Watson,comeroundandlunchwithusattwo.I'llbeabletotellyoumoreclearlythenhowthis
thingstrikesme."
"Isthatconvenienttoyou,Watson?"
"Perfectly."
"Thenyoumayexpectus.ShallIhaveacabcalled?"
"I'dprefertowalk,forthisaffairhasflurriedmerather."
"I'lljoinyouinawalk,withpleasure,"saidhiscompanion.
"Thenwemeetagainattwoo'clock.Aurevoir,andgoodmorning!"
Weheardthestepsofourvisitorsdescendthestairandthebangofthefrontdoor.Inaninstant
Holmeshadchangedfromthelanguiddreamertothemanofaction.
"Yourhatandboots,Watson,quick!Notamomenttolose!"Herushedinto hisroominhis
dressinggownandwasbackagaininafewsecondsinafrockcoat.Wehurriedtogetherdown
thestairsandintothestreet.Dr.MortimerandBaskervillewerestillvisibleabouttwohundred
yardsaheadofusinthedirectionofOxfordStreet.
"ShallIrunonandstopthem?"
"Notfortheworld,mydearWatson.Iamperfectlysatisfiedwithyour companyifyouwill
toleratemine.Ourfriendsarewise,foritiscertainlyaveryfinemorningforawalk."
He quickened his pace until we had decreased the distance which divided us by about half.
Then,stillkeepingahundredyardsbehind,wefollowedintoOxfordStreetandsodownRegent
Street. Once our friends stopped and stared into a shop window, upon which Holmes did the
same.Aninstantafterwardshegavealittlecryofsatisfaction,and,followingthedirectionofhis
eagereyes,Isawthatahansomcabwithamaninsidewhichhadhaltedontheothersideofthe
streetwasnowproceedingslowlyonwardagain.
"There'sourman,Watson!Comealong!We'llhaveagoodlookathim,ifwecandonomore."
AtthatinstantIwasawareofabushyblackbeardandapairofpiercingeyesturneduponus
through the side window of the cab. Instantly the trapdoor at the top flew up, something was
screamedtothedriver,andthecabflewmadlyoffdownRegentStreet.Holmeslookedeagerly
roundforanother,butnoemptyonewasinsight.Thenhedashedinwildpursuitamidthestream
ofthetraffic,butthestartwastoogreat,andalreadythecabwasoutofsight.
"Therenow!"saidHolmesbitterlyasheemergedpantingandwhitewithvexationfromthe
tide of vehicles. "Was ever such bad luck and such bad management, too? Watson, Watson, if
youareanhonestmanyouwillrecordthisalsoandsetitagainstmysuccesses!"
"Whowastheman?"
"Ihavenotanidea."
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"Aspy?"
"Well, it was evident from what we have heard that Baskerville has been very closely
shadowedbysomeonesincehehasbeenintown.Howelsecoulditbeknownsoquicklythatit
was the Northumberland Hotel which he had chosen? If they had followed him the first day I
arguedthattheywouldfollowhimalsothesecond.YoumayhaveobservedthatItwicestrolled
overtothewindowwhileDr.Mortimerwasreadinghislegend."
"Yes,Iremember."
"Iwaslookingoutforloiterersinthestreet,butIsawnone.Wearedealingwithacleverman,
Watson.Thismattercutsverydeep,andthoughIhavenotfinallymadeupmymindwhetheritis
abenevolentoramalevolentagencywhichisintouchwithus,Iamconsciousalwaysofpower
anddesign.WhenourfriendsleftIatoncefollowedtheminthe hopesofmarkingdowntheir
invisibleattendant.Sowilywashethathehadnottrustedhimselfuponfoot,buthehadavailed
himselfofacabsothathecouldloiterbehindordashpastthemandsoescapetheirnotice.His
methodhadtheadditionaladvantagethatiftheyweretotakeacabhewasallreadytofollow
them.Ithas,however,oneobviousdisadvantage."
"Itputshiminthepowerofthecabman."
"Exactly."
"Whatapitywedidnotgetthenumber!"
"MydearWatson,clumsyasIhavebeen,yousurelydonotseriouslyimaginethatIneglected
togetthenumber?No.2704isourman.Butthatisnousetousforthemoment."
"Ifailtoseehowyoucouldhavedonemore."
"On observing the cab I should have instantly turned and walked in the other direction. I
shouldthenatmyleisurehavehiredasecondcabandfollowedthefirstatarespectfuldistance,
or,betterstill,havedriventotheNorthumberlandHotelandwaitedthere.Whenourunknown
had followed Baskerville home we should have had the opportunity of playing his own game
uponhimselfandseeingwherehemadefor.Asitis,byanindiscreeteagerness,whichwastaken
advantage of with extraordinary quickness and energy by our opponent, we have betrayed
ourselvesandlostourman."
We had been sauntering slowly down Regent Street during this conversation, and Dr.
Mortimer,withhiscompanion,hadlongvanishedinfrontofus.
"Thereisnoobjectinourfollowingthem,"saidHolmes."Theshadowhasdepartedandwill
notreturn.Wemustseewhatfurthercardswehavein ourhandsandplaythemwithdecision.
Couldyousweartothatman'sfacewithinthecab?"
"Icouldswearonlytothebeard."
"AndsocouldIfromwhichIgatherthatinallprobabilityitwasafalseone.Acleverman
upon so delicate an errand has no use for a beard save to conceal his features. Come in here,
Watson!"
He turned into one of the district messenger offices, where he was warmly greeted by the
manager.
"Ah,Wilson, I see you have not forgotten the little case in which I had the good fortune to
helpyou?"
"No,sir,indeedIhavenot.Yousavedmygoodname,andperhapsmylife."
"Mydearfellow,youexaggerate.Ihavesomerecollection,Wilson,thatyouhadamongyour
boysaladnamedCartwright,whoshowedsomeabilityduringtheinvestigation."
"Yes,sir,heisstillwithus."
"Couldyouringhimup?thankyou!AndIshouldbegladtohavechangeofthisfivepound
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note."
Aladoffourteen,withabright,keenface,hadobeyedthesummonsofthemanager.Hestood
nowgazingwithgreatreverenceatthefamousdetective.
"LetmehavetheHotelDirectory,"saidHolmes."Thankyou!Now,Cartwright,therearethe
namesoftwentythreehotelshere,allintheimmediateneighbourhoodofCharingCross.Doyou
see?"
"Yes,sir."
"Youwillvisiteachoftheseinturn."
"Yes,sir."
"Youwillbeginineachcasebygivingtheoutsideporteroneshilling.Herearetwentythree
shillings."
"Yes,sir."
"You will tell him that you want to see the wastepaper of yesterday. You will say that an
importanttelegramhasmiscarriedandthatyouarelookingforit.Youunderstand?"
"Yes,sir."
"ButwhatyouarereallylookingforisthecentrepageoftheTimeswithsomeholescutinit
withscissors.HereisacopyoftheTimes.Itis thispage.Youcouldeasilyrecognizeit,could
younot?"
"Yes,sir."
"In each case the outside porter will send for the hall porter, to whom also you will give a
shilling.Herearetwentythreeshillings.Youwillthenlearninpossiblytwentycasesoutofthe
twentythree that the waste of the day before has been burned or removed. In the three other
casesyouwillbeshownaheapofpaperandyouwilllookforthispageoftheTimesamongit.
The odds are enormously against your finding it. There are ten shillings over in case of
emergencies.LetmehaveareportbywireatBakerStreetbeforeevening.Andnow,Watson,it
onlyremainsforustofindoutbywiretheidentityofthecabman,No.2704,andthenwewill
drop into one of the Bond Street picture galleries and fill in the time until we are due at the
hotel."
Chapter5.ThreeBrokenThreads
SherlockHolmeshad,inaveryremarkabledegree,thepowerofdetachinghismindatwill.
Fortwohoursthestrangebusinessinwhichwehadbeeninvolvedappearedtobeforgotten,and
hewasentirelyabsorbedinthepicturesofthemodernBelgianmasters.Hewouldtalkofnothing
butart,ofwhichhehadthecrudestideas,fromourleavingthegalleryuntilwefoundourselves
attheNorthumberlandHotel.
"SirHenryBaskervilleisupstairsexpectingyou,"saidtheclerk."Heaskedmetoshowyou
upatoncewhenyoucame."
"Haveyouanyobjectiontomylookingatyourregister?"saidHolmes.
"Notintheleast."
The book showed that two names had been added after that of Baskerville. One was
TheophilusJohnsonandfamily,ofNewcastletheotherMrs.Oldmoreandmaid,ofHighLodge,
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Alton.
"SurelythatmustbethesameJohnsonwhomIusedtoknow,"saidHolmestotheporter."A
lawyer,ishenot,grayheaded,andwalkswithalimp?"
"No,sir,thisisMr.Johnson,thecoalowner,averyactivegentleman,notolderthanyourself."
"Surelyyouaremistakenabouthistrade?"
"No,sir!hehasusedthishotelformanyyears,andheisverywellknowntous."
"Ah,thatsettlesit.Mrs.Oldmore,tooIseemtorememberthename.Excusemycuriosity,but
oftenincallingupononefriendonefindsanother."
"Sheisaninvalidlady,sir.HerhusbandwasoncemayorofGloucester.Shealwayscomesto
uswhensheisintown."
"Thank you I am afraid I cannot claim her acquaintance. We have established a most
important fact by these questions, Watson," he continued in a low voice as we went upstairs
together. "We know now that the people who are so interested in our friend have not settled
downinhisownhotel.Thatmeansthatwhiletheyare,aswehaveseen,veryanxioustowatch
him,theyareequallyanxiousthatheshouldnotseethem.Now,thisisamostsuggestivefact."
"Whatdoesitsuggest?"
"Itsuggestshalloa,mydearfellow,whatonearthisthematter?"
AswecameroundthetopofthestairswehadrunupagainstSirHenryBaskervillehimself.
His face was flushed with anger, and he held an old and dusty boot in one of his hands. So
furiouswashethathewashardlyarticulate,andwhenhedidspeakitwasinamuchbroaderand
moreWesterndialectthananywhichwehadheardfromhiminthemorning.
"Seemstometheyareplayingmeforasuckerinthishotel,"hecried."They'llfindthey've
startedintomonkeywiththewrongmanunlesstheyarecareful.Bythunder,ifthatchapcan't
find my missing boot there will be trouble. I can take a joke with the best, Mr. Holmes, but
they'vegotabitoverthemarkthistime."
"Stilllookingforyourboot?"
"Yes,sir,andmeantofindit."
"But,surely,yousaidthatitwasanewbrownboot?"
"Soitwas,sir.Andnowit'sanoldblackone."
"What!youdon'tmeantosay?"
"That'sjustwhatIdomeantosay.Ionlyhadthreepairsintheworldthenewbrown,theold
black,andthepatentleathers,whichIamwearing.Lastnighttheytookoneofmybrownones,
andtodaytheyhavesneakedoneoftheblack.Well,haveyougotit?Speakout,man,anddon't
standstaring!"
AnagitatedGermanwaiterhadappeareduponthescene.
"No,sirIhavemadeinquiryalloverthehotel,butIcanhearnowordofit."
"Well,eitherthatbootcomesbackbeforesundownorI'llseethemanagerandtellhimthatI
gorightstraightoutofthishotel."
"Itshallbefound,sirIpromiseyouthatifyouwillhavealittlepatienceitwillbefound."
"Minditis,forit'sthelastthingofminethatI'llloseinthisdenofthieves.Well, well, Mr.
Holmes,you'llexcusemytroublingyouaboutsuchatrifle"
"Ithinkit'swellworthtroublingabout."
"Why,youlookveryseriousoverit."
"Howdoyouexplainit?"
"Ijustdon'tattempttoexplainit.Itseemstheverymaddest,queerestthingthateverhappened
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tome."
"Thequeerestperhaps"saidHolmesthoughtfully.
"Whatdoyoumakeofityourself?"
"Well, I don't profess to understand it yet. This case of yours is very complex, Sir Henry.
When taken in conjunction with your uncle's death I am not sure that of all the five hundred
casesofcapitalimportancewhichIhavehandledthereisonewhichcutssodeep.Butwehold
severalthreadsinourhands,andtheoddsarethatoneorotherofthemguidesustothetruth.We
maywastetimeinfollowingthewrongone,butsoonerorlaterwemustcomeupontheright."
We had a pleasant luncheon in which little was said of the business which had brought us
together.ItwasintheprivatesittingroomtowhichweafterwardsrepairedthatHolmesasked
Baskervillewhatwerehisintentions.
"TogotoBaskervilleHall."
"Andwhen?"
"Attheendoftheweek."
"Onthewhole,"saidHolmes,"Ithinkthatyourdecisionisawiseone.Ihaveampleevidence
that you are being dogged in London, and amid the millions of this great city it is difficult to
discoverwhothesepeopleareorwhattheirobjectcanbe.Iftheirintentionsareeviltheymight
doyouamischief,andweshouldbepowerlesstopreventit.Youdidnot know,Dr.Mortimer,
thatyouwerefollowedthismorningfrommyhouse?"
Dr.Mortimerstartedviolently."Followed!Bywhom?"
"That, unfortunately, is what I cannot tell you. Have you among your neighbours or
acquaintancesonDartmooranymanwithablack,fullbeard?"
"Noor, let me seewhy, yes. Barrymore, Sir Charles's butler, is a man with a full, black
beard."
"Ha!WhereisBarrymore?"
"HeisinchargeoftheHall."
"Wehadbestascertainifheisreallythere,orifbyanypossibilityhemightbeinLondon."
"Howcanyoudothat?"
"Give me a telegraph form. 'Is all ready for Sir Henry?' That will do. Address to Mr.
Barrymore,BaskervilleHall.Whatisthenearesttelegraphoffice?Grimpen.Verygood,wewill
sendasecondwiretothepostmaster,Grimpen:'TelegramtoMr.Barrymoretobedeliveredinto
his own hand. If absent, please return wire to Sir Henry Baskerville, Northumberland Hotel.'
ThatshouldletusknowbeforeeveningwhetherBarrymoreisathispostinDevonshireornot."
"That'sso,"saidBaskerville."Bytheway,Dr.Mortimer,whoisthisBarrymore,anyhow?"
"He is the son of the old caretaker, who is dead. They have looked after the Hall for four
generations now. So far as I know, he and his wife are as respectable a couple as any in the
county."
"Atthesametime,"saidBaskerville,"it'sclearenoughthatsolongastherearenoneofthe
familyattheHallthesepeoplehaveamightyfinehomeandnothingtodo."
"Thatistrue."
"DidBarrymoreprofitatallbySirCharles'swill?"askedHolmes.
"Heandhiswifehadfivehundredpoundseach."
"Ha!Didtheyknowthattheywouldreceivethis?"
"YesSirCharleswasveryfondoftalkingabouttheprovisionsofhiswill."
"Thatisveryinteresting."
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"Ihope,"saidDr.Mortimer,"thatyoudonotlookwithsuspiciouseyesuponeveryonewho
receivedalegacyfromSirCharles,forIalsohadathousandpoundslefttome."
"Indeed!Andanyoneelse?"
"There were many insignificant sums to individuals, and a large number of public charities.
TheresidueallwenttoSirHenry."
"Andhowmuchwastheresidue?"
"Sevenhundredandfortythousandpounds."
Holmesraisedhiseyebrowsinsurprise."Ihadnoideathatsogiganticasumwasinvolved,"
saidhe.
"SirCharleshadthereputationofbeingrich,butwedidnotknowhowveryrichhewasuntil
wecametoexaminehissecurities.Thetotalvalueoftheestatewascloseontoamillion."
"Dear me! It is a stake for which a man might well play a desperate game. And one more
question, Dr. Mortimer. Supposing that anything happened to ouryoungfriendhereyouwill
forgivetheunpleasanthypothesis!whowouldinherittheestate?"
"Since Rodger Baskerville, Sir Charles's younger brother died unmarried, the estate would
descendtotheDesmonds,whoaredistantcousins.JamesDesmondisanelderlyclergymanin
Westmoreland."
"Thankyou.Thesedetailsareallofgreatinterest.HaveyoumetMr.JamesDesmond?"
"Yes he once came down to visit Sir Charles. He is a man of venerable appearance and of
saintly life. I remember that he refused to accept any settlement from Sir Charles, though he
pressedituponhim."
"AndthismanofsimpletasteswouldbetheheirtoSirCharles'sthousands."
"Hewouldbetheheirtotheestatebecausethatisentailed.Hewouldalsobetheheirtothe
money unless it were willed otherwise by the present owner, who can, of course, do what he
likeswithit."
"Andhaveyoumadeyourwill,SirHenry?"
"No,Mr.Holmes,Ihavenot.I'vehadnotime,foritwasonlyyesterdaythat I learned how
mattersstood.ButinanycaseIfeelthatthemoneyshouldgowiththetitleandestate.Thatwas
mypooruncle'sidea.HowistheownergoingtorestorethegloriesoftheBaskervillesifhehas
notmoneyenoughtokeepuptheproperty?House,land,anddollarsmustgotogether."
"Quite so.Well, Sir Henry, I am of one mind with you as to the advisability of your going
down to Devonshire without delay. There is only one provision which I must make. You
certainlymustnotgoalone."
"Dr.Mortimerreturnswithme."
"ButDr.Mortimerhashispracticetoattendto,andhishouseismilesawayfromyours.With
allthegoodwillintheworldhemaybeunabletohelpyou.No,SirHenry,youmusttakewith
yousomeone,atrustyman,whowillbealwaysbyyourside."
"Isitpossiblethatyoucouldcomeyourself,Mr.Holmes?"
"IfmatterscametoacrisisIshouldendeavourtobepresentinpersonbutyoucanunderstand
that,withmyextensiveconsultingpracticeandwiththeconstantappealswhichreachmefrom
manyquarters,itisimpossibleformetobeabsentfromLondonforanindefinitetime.Atthe
presentinstantoneofthemostreverednamesinEnglandisbeingbesmirchedbyablackmailer,
and only I can stop a disastrous scandal. You will see how impossible it is for me to go to
Dartmoor."
"Whomwouldyourecommend,then?"
Holmeslaidhishanduponmyarm."Ifmyfriendwouldundertakeitthereisnomanwhois
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better worth having at your side when you are in a tight place. No one can say so more
confidentlythanI."
Thepropositiontookmecompletelybysurprise,butbeforeIhadtimetoanswer,Baskerville
seizedmebythehandandwrungitheartily.
"Well,now,thatisrealkindofyou,Dr.Watson,"saidhe."Youseehowitiswithme,andyou
knowjustasmuchaboutthematterasIdo.IfyouwillcomedowntoBaskervilleHallandsee
methroughI'llneverforgetit."
The promise of adventure had always a fascination for me, and I was complimented by the
wordsofHolmesandbytheeagernesswithwhichthebaronethailedmeasacompanion.
"Iwillcome,withpleasure,"saidI."IdonotknowhowIcouldemploymytimebetter."
"Andyouwillreportverycarefullytome,"saidHolmes."Whenacrisiscomes,asitwilldo,I
willdirecthowyoushallact.IsupposethatbySaturdayallmightbeready?"
"WouldthatsuitDr.Watson?"
"Perfectly."
"ThenonSaturday,unlessyouheartothecontrary,weshallmeetatthetenthirtytrainfrom
Paddington."
We had risen to depart when Baskerville gave a cry, of triumph, and diving into one of the
cornersoftheroomhedrewabrownbootfromunderacabinet.
"Mymissingboot!"hecried.
"Mayallourdifficultiesvanishaseasily!"saidSherlockHolmes.
"But it is a very singular thing," Dr. Mortimer remarked. "I searched this room carefully
beforelunch."
"AndsodidI,"saidBaskerville."Everyinchofit."
"Therewascertainlynobootinitthen."
"Inthatcasethewaitermusthaveplacedittherewhilewewerelunching."
TheGermanwassentforbutprofessedtoknownothingofthematter,norcouldanyinquiry
clear it up.Another item had been added to that constant and apparently purposeless series of
smallmysterieswhichhadsucceededeachothersorapidly.Settingasidethewholegrimstoryof
Sir Charles's death, we had a line of inexplicable incidents all within the limits of two days,
whichincludedthereceiptoftheprintedletter,theblackbeardedspyinthehansom,thelossof
thenewbrownboot,thelossoftheoldblackboot,andnowthereturnofthenewbrownboot.
HolmessatinsilenceinthecabaswedrovebacktoBakerStreet,andIknewfromhisdrawn
brows and keen face that his mind, like my own, was busy in endeavouring to frame some
scheme into which all these strange and apparently disconnected episodes could be fitted.All
afternoonandlateintotheeveninghesatlostintobaccoandthought.
Justbeforedinnertwotelegramswerehandedin.Thefirstran:
HavejustheardthatBarrymoreisattheHall.BASKERVILLE.
Thesecond:
Visitedtwentythreehotelsasdirected,butsorry,toreportunabletotracecutsheetofTimes.
CARTWRIGHT.
"There go two of my threads,Watson.There is nothing more stimulating than a case where
everythinggoesagainstyou.Wemustcastroundforanotherscent."
"Wehavestillthecabmanwhodrovethespy."
"Exactly.IhavewiredtogethisnameandaddressfromtheOfficialRegistry.Ishouldnotbe
surprisedifthiswereananswertomyquestion."
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Theringatthebellprovedtobesomethingevenmoresatisfactorythanananswer,however,
forthedooropenedandaroughlookingfellowenteredwhowasevidentlythemanhimself.
"IgotamessagefromtheheadofficethatagentatthisaddresshadbeeninquiringforNo.
2704,"saidhe."I'vedrivenmycabthissevenyearsandneverawordofcomplaint.Icamehere
straightfromtheYardtoaskyoutoyourfacewhatyouhadagainstme."
"I have nothing in the world against you, my good man," said Holmes. "On the contrary, I
havehalfasovereignforyouifyouwillgivemeaclearanswertomyquestions."
"Well,I'vehadagooddayandnomistake,"saidthecabmanwithagrin."What was it you
wantedtoask,sir?"
"Firstofallyournameandaddress,incaseIwantyouagain."
"JohnClayton,3TurpeyStreet,theBorough.MycabisoutofShipley'sYard,nearWaterloo
Station."
SherlockHolmesmadeanoteofit.
"Now,Clayton,tellmeallaboutthefarewhocameandwatchedthishouseatteno'clockthis
morningandafterwardsfollowedthetwogentlemendownRegentStreet."
The man looked surprised and a little embarrassed. "Why, there's no good my telling you
things,foryouseemtoknowasmuchasIdoalready,"saidhe."Thetruthisthatthegentleman
toldmethathewasadetectiveandthatIwastosaynothingabouthimtoanyone."
"My good fellow this is a very serious business, and you may find yourselfinaprettybad
position if you try to hide anything from me. You say that your fare told you that he was a
detective?"
"Yes,hedid."
"Whendidhesaythis?"
"Whenheleftme."
"Didhesayanythingmore?"
"Hementionedhisname."
Holmescastaswiftglanceoftriumphatme."Oh,hementionedhisname,didhe?Thatwas
imprudent.Whatwasthenamethathementioned?"
"Hisname,"saidthecabman,"wasMr.SherlockHolmes."
NeverhaveIseenmyfriendmorecompletelytakenabackthanbythecabman'sreply.Foran
instanthesatinsilentamazement.Thenheburstintoaheartylaugh.
"A touch, Watsonan undeniable touch!" said he. "I feel a foil as quick and supple as my
own.Hegothomeuponmeveryprettilythattime.SohisnamewasSherlockHolmes,wasit?"
"Yes,sir,thatwasthegentleman'sname."
"Excellent!Tellmewhereyoupickedhimupandallthatoccurred."
"HehailedmeathalfpastnineinTrafalgarSquare.Hesaidthathewasa detective,andhe
offeredmetwoguineasifIwoulddoexactlywhathewantedalldayandasknoquestions.Iwas
gladenoughtoagree.FirstwedrovedowntotheNorthumberlandHotelandwaitedthereuntil
twogentlemencameoutandtookacabfromtherank.Wefollowedtheircabuntilitpulledup
somewherenearhere."
"Thisverydoor,"saidHolmes.
"Well,Icouldn'tbesureofthat,butIdaresaymyfareknewallaboutit.Wepulleduphalfway
downthestreetandwaitedanhourandahalf.Thenthetwogentlemenpassedus,walking,and
wefolloweddownBakerStreetandalong"
"Iknow,"saidHolmes.
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"UntilwegotthreequartersdownRegentStreet.Thenmygentlemanthrewupthetrap,and
hecriedthatIshoulddriverightawaytoWaterlooStationashardasIcouldgo.Iwhippedup
themareandwewerethereunderthetenminutes.Thenhepaiduphistwoguineas,likeagood
one,andawayhewentintothestation.Onlyjustashewasleavingheturnedroundandhesaid:
'It might interest you to know that you have been driving Mr. Sherlock Holmes.'That's how I
cometoknowthename."
"Isee.Andyousawnomoreofhim?"
"Notafterhewentintothestation."
"AndhowwouldyoudescribeMr.SherlockHolmes?"
The cabman scratched his head. "Well, he wasn't altogether such an easy gentleman to
describe.I'dputhimatfortyyearsofage,andhewasofamiddleheight, twoor threeinches
shorterthanyou,sir.Hewasdressedlikeatoff,andhehadablackbeard,cutsquareattheend,
andapaleface.Idon'tknowasIcouldsaymorethanthat."
"Colourofhiseyes?"
"No,Ican'tsaythat."
"Nothingmorethatyoucanremember?"
"No,sirnothing."
"Well,then,hereisyourhalfsovereign.There'sanotheronewaitingforyouifyoucanbring
anymoreinformation.Goodnight!"
"Goodnight,sir,andthankyou!"
JohnClaytondepartedchuckling,andHolmesturnedtomewithashrugofhisshouldersanda
ruefulsmile.
"Snapgoesourthirdthread,andweendwherewebegan,"saidhe."Thecunningrascal!He
knew our number, knew that Sir Henry Baskerville had consulted me, spotted who I was in
RegentStreet,conjecturedthatIhadgotthenumberofthecabandwouldlaymyhandsonthe
driver, and so sent back this audacious message. I tell you, Watson, this time we have got a
foemanwhoisworthyofoursteel.I'vebeencheckmatedinLondon.Icanonlywishyoubetter
luckinDevonshire.ButI'mnoteasyinmymindaboutit."
"Aboutwhat?"
"Aboutsendingyou.It'sanuglybusiness,Watson,anuglydangerousbusiness,andthemoreI
seeofitthelessIlikeit.Yes,mydearfellow,youmaylaugh,butIgiveyoumywordthatIshall
beverygladtohaveyoubacksafeandsoundinBakerStreetoncemore."
Chapter6.BaskervilleHall
SirHenryBaskervilleandDr.Mortimerwerereadyupontheappointedday,andwestartedas
arrangedforDevonshire.Mr.SherlockHolmesdrovewithmetothestationandgavemehislast
partinginjunctionsandadvice.
"Iwillnotbiasyourmindbysuggestingtheoriesorsuspicions,Watson,"saidhe"Iwishyou
simply to report facts in the fullest possible manner to me, and you can leave me to do the
theorizing."
"Whatsortoffacts?"Iasked.
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"Anythingwhichmayseemtohaveabearinghoweverindirectuponthecase,andespecially
therelationsbetweenyoungBaskervilleandhisneighboursoranyfreshparticularsconcerning
thedeathofSirCharles.Ihavemadesomeinquiriesmyselfinthelastfewdays,buttheresults
have, I fear, been negative. One thing only appears to be certain, and that is that Mr. James
Desmond,whoisthenextheir,isanelderlygentlemanofaveryamiabledisposition,sothatthis
persecutiondoesnotarisefromhim.Ireallythinkthatwemayeliminatehimentirelyfromour
calculations.ThereremainthepeoplewhowillactuallysurroundSirHenryBaskervilleuponthe
moor."
"WoulditnotbewellinthefirstplacetogetridofthisBarrymorecouple?"
"Bynomeans.Youcouldnotmakeagreatermistake.Iftheyareinnocentitwouldbeacruel
injustice,andiftheyareguiltyweshouldbegivingupallchanceofbringingithometothem.
No,no,wewillpreservethemuponourlistofsuspects.ThenthereisagroomattheHall,ifI
remember right. There are two moorland farmers. There is our friend Dr. Mortimer, whom I
believe to be entirely honest, and there is his wife, of whom we know nothing. There is this
naturalist,Stapleton,andthereishissister,whoissaidtobeayoungladyofattractions.Thereis
Mr.Frankland, of Lafter Hall, who is also an unknown factor, and there are one or two other
neighbours.Thesearethefolkwhomustbeyourveryspecialstudy."
"Iwilldomybest."
"Youhavearms,Isuppose?"
"Yes,Ithoughtitaswelltotakethem."
"Most certainly. Keep your revolver near you night and day, and never relax your
precautions."
Our friends had already secured a firstclass carriage and were waiting for us upon the
platform.
"No,wehavenonewsofanykind,"saidDr.Mortimerinanswertomyfriend'squestions."I
cansweartoonething,andthatisthatwehavenotbeenshadowedduringthelasttwodays.We
havenevergoneoutwithoutkeepingasharpwatch,andnoonecouldhaveescapedournotice."
"Youhavealwayskepttogether,Ipresume?"
"Except yesterday afternoon. I usually give up one day to pure amusement when I come to
town,soIspentitattheMuseumoftheCollegeofSurgeons."
"AndIwenttolookatthefolkinthepark,"saidBaskerville.
"Butwehadnotroubleofanykind."
"It was imprudent, all the same," said Holmes, shaking his head and looking very grave. "I
beg,SirHenry,thatyouwillnotgoaboutalone.Somegreatmisfortunewillbefallyouifyoudo.
Didyougetyourotherboot?"
"No,sir,itisgoneforever."
"Indeed.Thatisveryinteresting.Well,goodbye,"headdedasthetrainbegantoglidedown
the platform. "Bear in mind, Sir Henry, one of the phrases in that queer old legend which Dr.
Mortimerhasreadtous,andavoidthemoorinthosehoursofdarknesswhenthepowersofevil
areexalted."
Ilookedbackattheplatformwhenwehadleftitfarbehindandsawthetall,austerefigureof
Holmesstandingmotionlessandgazingafterus.
The journey was a swift and pleasant one, and I spent it in making the more intimate
acquaintanceofmytwocompanionsandinplayingwithDr.Mortimer'sspaniel.Inaveryfew
hoursthebrownearthhadbecomeruddy,thebrickhadchangedtogranite,andredcowsgrazed
inwellhedgedfieldswherethelushgrassesandmoreluxuriantvegetationspokeofaricher,ifa
damper, climate. Young Baskerville stared eagerly out of the window and cried aloud with
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delightasherecognizedthefamiliarfeaturesoftheDevonscenery.
"I'vebeenoveragoodpartoftheworldsinceIleftit,Dr.Watson,"saidhe"butIhavenever
seenaplacetocomparewithit."
"IneversawaDevonshiremanwhodidnotswearbyhiscounty,"Iremarked.
"It depends upon the breed of men quite as much as on the county," said Dr.Mortimer."A
glanceatourfriendhererevealstheroundedheadoftheCelt,whichcarriesinsideittheCeltic
enthusiasm and power of attachment. Poor Sir Charles's head was of a very rare type, half
Gaelic, half Ivernian in its characteristics. But you were very young when you last saw
BaskervilleHall,wereyounot?"
"Iwasaboyinmyteensatthetimeofmyfather'sdeathandhadneverseentheHall,forhe
livedinalittlecottageontheSouthCoast.ThenceIwentstraighttoafriendinAmerica.Itell
youitisallasnewtomeasitistoDr.Watson,andI'maskeenaspossibletoseethemoor."
"Areyou?Thenyourwishiseasilygranted,forthereisyourfirstsightofthemoor,"saidDr.
Mortimer,pointingoutofthecarriagewindow.
Overthegreensquaresofthefieldsandthelowcurveofawoodthereroseinthedistancea
gray,melancholyhill,withastrangejaggedsummit,dimandvagueinthedistance,likesome
fantasticlandscapeinadream.Baskervillesatforalongtime,hiseyesfixeduponit,andIread
uponhiseagerfacehowmuchitmeanttohim,thisfirstsightofthatstrangespotwherethemen
ofhisbloodhadheldswaysolongandlefttheirmarksodeep.Therehesat,withhistweedsuit
andhisAmerican accent,inthecornerofaprosaicrailwaycarriage,andyetasIlookedathis
darkandexpressivefaceIfeltmorethaneverhowtrueadescendanthewasofthatlonglineof
highblooded, fiery, and masterful men. There were pride, valour, and strength in his thick
brows,hissensitivenostrils,andhislargehazeleyes.Ifonthatforbiddingmooradifficultand
dangerousquestshouldliebeforeus,thiswasatleastacomradeforwhomonemightventureto
takeariskwiththecertaintythathewouldbravelyshareit.
Thetrainpulledupatasmallwaysidestationandwealldescended.Outside,beyondthelow,
white fence, a wagonette with a pair of cobs was waiting. Our coming was evidently a great
event,forstationmasterandportersclusteredroundustocarryoutourluggage.Itwasasweet,
simplecountryspot,butIwassurprisedtoobservethatbythegatetherestoodtwosoldierlymen
indarkuniformswholeanedupontheirshortriflesandglancedkeenlyatusaswepassed.The
coachman,ahardfaced,gnarledlittlefellow,salutedSirHenryBaskerville,andinafewminutes
we were flying swiftly down the broad, white road. Rolling pasture lands curved upward on
eithersideofus,andoldgabledhousespeepedoutfromamidthethickgreenfoliage,butbehind
the peaceful and sunlit countryside there rose ever, dark against the evening sky, the long,
gloomycurveofthemoor,brokenbythejaggedandsinisterhills.
Thewagonetteswungroundintoasideroad,andwecurvedupwardthroughdeeplanesworn
by centuriesof wheels, high banks on eitherside, heavywith drippingmossandfleshyhart's
tongueferns.Bronzingbrackenandmottledbramblegleamedinthelightofthesinkingsun.Still
steadilyrising,wepassedoveranarrowgranitebridgeandskirtedanoisystreamwhichgushed
swiftly down, foaming and roaring amid the gray boulders. Both road and stream wound up
throughavalleydensewithscruboakandfir.AteveryturnBaskervillegaveanexclamationof
delight, looking eagerly about him and asking countless questions. To his eyes all seemed
beautiful,buttomeatingeofmelancholylayuponthecountryside,whichboresoclearlythe
mark of the waning year.Yellow leaves carpeted the lanes and fluttered down upon us as we
passed.Therattleofourwheelsdiedawayaswedrovethroughdriftsofrottingvegetationsad
gifts, as it seemed to me, for Nature to throw before the carriage of the returning heir of the
Baskervilles.
"Halloa!"criedDr.Mortimer,"whatisthis?"
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A steep curve of heathclad land, an outlying spur of the moor, lay in front of us. On the
summit,hardandclearlikeanequestrianstatueuponitspedestal,wasamountedsoldier,dark
and stern, his rifle poised ready over his forearm. He was watching the road along which we
travelled.
"Whatisthis,Perkins?"askedDr.Mortimer.
Ourdriverhalfturnedinhisseat."There'saconvictescapedfromPrincetown,sir.He'sbeen
outthreedaysnow,andthewarderswatcheveryroadandeverystation,butthey'vehadnosight
ofhimyet.Thefarmersaboutheredon'tlikeit,sir,andthat'safact."
"Well,Iunderstandthattheygetfivepoundsiftheycangiveinformation."
"Yes,sir,butthechanceoffivepoundsisbutapoorthingcomparedtothechanceofhaving
your throat cut. You see, it isn't like any ordinary convict. This is a man that would stick at
nothing."
"Whoishe,then?"
"ItisSelden,theNottingHillmurderer."
Irememberedthecasewell,foritwasoneinwhichHolmeshadtakenaninterestonaccount
ofthepeculiarferocityofthecrimeandthewantonbrutalitywhichhadmarkedalltheactionsof
the assassin. The commutation of his death sentence had been due to some doubts as to his
completesanity,soatrociouswashisconduct.Ourwagonettehadtoppedariseandinfrontofus
rosethehugeexpanseofthemoor,mottledwithgnarledandcraggycairnsandtors.Acoldwind
sweptdownfromitandsetusshivering.Somewherethere,onthatdesolateplain,waslurking
thisfiendishman,hidinginaburrowlikeawildbeast,hisheartfullofmalignancyagainstthe
wholeracewhichhadcasthimout.Itneededbutthistocompletethegrimsuggestivenessofthe
barrenwaste,thechillingwind,andthedarklingsky.EvenBaskervillefellsilentandpulledhis
overcoatmorecloselyaroundhim.
Wehadleftthefertilecountrybehindandbeneathus.Welookedbackonitnow,theslanting
raysofalowsunturningthestreamstothreadsofgoldandglowingontheredearthnewturned
bytheploughandthebroadtangleofthewoodlands.Theroadinfrontofusgrewbleakerand
wilderoverhugerussetandoliveslopes,sprinkledwithgiantboulders.Nowandthenwepassed
a moorland cottage, walled and roofed with stone, with no creeper to break its harsh outline.
Suddenlywelookeddownintoacuplikedepression,patchedwithstuntedoaksandfirswhich
hadbeentwistedandbentbythefuryofyearsofstorm.Twohigh,narrowtowersroseoverthe
trees.Thedriverpointedwithhiswhip.
"BaskervilleHall,"saidhe.
Itsmasterhadrisenandwasstaringwithflushedcheeksandshiningeyes.Afewminuteslater
wehadreachedthelodgegates,amazeoffantastictraceryinwroughtiron,withweatherbitten
pillars on either side, blotched with lichens, and surmounted by the boars' heads of the
Baskervilles.Thelodgewasaruinofblackgraniteandbaredribsofrafters,butfacingitwasa
newbuilding,halfconstructed,thefirstfruitofSirCharles'sSouthAfricangold.
Throughthegatewaywepassedintotheavenue,wherethewheelswereagainhushed amid
theleaves,andtheoldtreesshottheirbranchesinasombretunneloverourheads.Baskerville
shudderedashelookedupthelong,darkdrivetowherethehouseglimmeredlikeaghostatthe
fartherend.
"Wasithere?"heaskedinalowvoice.
"No,no,theyewalleyisontheotherside."
Theyoungheirglancedroundwithagloomyface.
"It'snowondermyunclefeltasiftroublewerecomingonhiminsuchaplaceasthis,"said
he."It'senoughtoscareanyman.I'llhavearowofelectriclampsuphereinsideofsixmonths,
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andyouwon'tknowitagain,withathousandcandlepowerSwanandEdisonrighthereinfront
ofthehalldoor."
The avenue opened into a broad expanse of turf, and the house lay before us. In the fading
lightIcouldseethatthecentrewasaheavyblockofbuildingfromwhichaporchprojected.The
wholefrontwasdrapedinivy,withapatchclippedbarehereandtherewhereawindoworacoat
of arms broke through the dark veil. From this central block rose the twin towers, ancient,
crenelated,andpiercedwithmanyloopholes.Torightandleftoftheturretsweremoremodern
wingsofblackgranite.Adulllightshone throughheavymullionedwindows,andfromthehigh
chimneys which rose from the steep, highangled roof there sprang a single black column of
smoke.
"Welcome,SirHenry!WelcometoBaskervilleHall!"
Atallmanhadsteppedfromtheshadowoftheporchtoopenthedoorof thewagonette.The
figureofawomanwassilhouettedagainsttheyellowlightofthehall.Shecameoutandhelped
themantohanddownourbags.
"You don't mind my driving straight home, Sir Henry?" said Dr. Mortimer. "My wife is
expectingme."
"Surelyyouwillstayandhavesomedinner?"
"No,Imustgo.Ishallprobablyfindsomeworkawaitingme.Iwouldstaytoshowyouover
thehouse,butBarrymorewillbeabetterguidethanI.Goodbye,andneverhesitatenightorday
tosendformeifIcanbeofservice."
ThewheelsdiedawaydownthedrivewhileSirHenryandIturnedintothehall,andthedoor
clangedheavilybehindus.Itwasafineapartmentinwhichwefoundourselves,large,lofty,and
heavily raftered with huge baulks of ageblackened oak. In the great oldfashioned fireplace
behindthehighirondogsalogfirecrackledandsnapped.SirHenryandIheldoutourhandsto
it,forwewerenumbfromourlongdrive.Thenwegazedroundusatthehigh,thinwindowof
oldstainedglass,theoakpanelling,thestags'heads,thecoatsofarmsuponthewalls,alldim
andsombreinthesubduedlightofthecentrallamp.
"It'sjustasIimaginedit,"saidSirHenry."Isitnottheverypictureofanoldfamilyhome?To
thinkthatthisshouldbethesamehallinwhichforfivehundredyearsmypeoplehavelived.It
strikesmesolemntothinkofit."
Isawhisdarkfacelitupwithaboyishenthusiasmashegazedabouthim.Thelightbeatupon
him where he stood, but long shadows trailed down the walls and hung like a black canopy
abovehim.Barrymorehadreturnedfromtakingourluggagetoourrooms.Hestoodinfrontof
usnowwiththesubduedmannerofawelltrainedservant.Hewasaremarkablelookingman,
tall,handsome,withasquareblackbeardandpale,distinguishedfeatures.
"Wouldyouwishdinnertobeservedatonce,sir?"
"Isitready?"
"In a very few minutes, sir.You will find hot water in your rooms. My wife and I will be
happy, Sir Henry, to stay with you until you have made your fresh arrangements, but youwill
understandthatunderthenewconditionsthishousewillrequireaconsiderablestaff."
"Whatnewconditions?"
"Ionlymeant,sir,thatSirCharlesledaveryretiredlife,andwewereabletolookafterhis
wants.Youwould,naturally,wishtohavemorecompany,andsoyouwillneedchangesinyour
household."
"Doyoumeanthatyourwifeandyouwishtoleave?"
"Onlywhenitisquiteconvenienttoyou,sir."
"Butyourfamilyhavebeenwithusforseveralgenerations,havetheynot?Ishouldbesorryto
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beginmylifeherebybreakinganoldfamilyconnection."
Iseemedtodiscernsomesignsofemotionuponthebutler'swhiteface.
"Ifeelthatalso,sir,andsodoesmywife.Buttotellthetruth,sir,wewerebothverymuch
attachedtoSirCharles,andhisdeathgaveusashockandmadethesesurroundingsverypainful
tous.IfearthatweshallneveragainbeeasyinourmindsatBaskervilleHall."
"Butwhatdoyouintendtodo?"
"I have no doubt, sir, that we shall succeed in establishing ourselves in some business. Sir
Charles'sgenerosityhasgivenusthemeanstodoso.Andnow,sir,perhapsIhadbestshowyou
toyourrooms."
Asquarebalustradedgalleryranroundthetopoftheoldhall,approached by a double stair.
Fromthiscentralpointtwolongcorridorsextendedthewholelengthofthebuilding,fromwhich
allthebedroomsopened.MyownwasinthesamewingasBaskerville'sandalmostnextdoorto
it.These rooms appeared to be much more modern than the central part of the house, and the
brightpaperandnumerouscandlesdidsomethingtoremovethesombreimpressionwhichour
arrivalhadleftuponmymind.
Butthediningroomwhichopenedoutofthehallwasaplaceofshadowandgloom.Itwasa
long chamber with a step separating the dais where the family sat from the lower portion
reserved for their dependents.At one end a minstrel's gallery overlooked it. Black beams shot
across above our heads, with a smokedarkened ceiling beyond them. With rows of flaring
torches to light it up, and the colour and rude hilarity of an oldtime banquet, it might have
softenedbutnow,whentwoblackclothedgentlemensatinthelittlecircleoflightthrownbya
shaded lamp, one's voice became hushed and one's spirit subdued.A dim line of ancestors, in
everyvarietyofdress,fromtheElizabethanknighttothebuckoftheRegency,stareddownupon
usanddauntedusbytheirsilentcompany.Wetalkedlittle,andIforonewasgladwhenthemeal
wasoverandwewereabletoretireintothemodernbilliardroomandsmokeacigarette.
"Myword,itisn'taverycheerfulplace,"saidSirHenry."Isupposeonecantonedowntoit,
butIfeelabitoutofthepictureatpresent.Idon'twonderthatmyunclegotalittlejumpyifhe
livedallaloneinsuchahouseasthis.However,ifitsuitsyou,wewillretireearlytonight,and
perhapsthingsmayseemmorecheerfulinthemorning."
IdrewasidemycurtainsbeforeIwenttobedandlookedoutfrommywindow.Itopenedupon
the grassy space which lay in front of the hall door. Beyond, two copses of trees moaned and
swunginarisingwind.A halfmoonbrokethroughtheriftsofracingclouds.InitscoldlightI
sawbeyondthetreesabrokenfringeofrocks,andthelong,lowcurveofthemelancholymoor.I
closedthecurtain,feelingthatmylastimpressionwasinkeepingwiththerest.
Andyetitwasnotquitethelast.Ifoundmyselfwearyandyetwakeful,tossingrestlesslyfrom
sidetoside,seekingforthesleepwhichwouldnotcome.Farawayachimingclockstruckout
the quarters of the hours, but otherwise a deathly silence lay upon the old house. And then
suddenly, in the very dead of the night, there came a sound to my ears, clear, resonant, and
unmistakable.Itwasthesobofawoman,themuffled,stranglinggaspofonewhoistornbyan
uncontrollable sorrow. I sat upin bed and listened intently.The noise could not have been far
awayandwascertainlyinthehouse.ForhalfanhourIwaitedwitheverynerveonthealert,but
therecamenoothersoundsavethechimingclockandtherustleoftheivyonthewall.
Chapter7.TheStapletonsofMerripit
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House
Thefreshbeautyofthefollowingmorningdidsomethingtoeffacefromourmindsthegrim
andgrayimpressionwhichhadbeenleftuponbothofusbyourfirstexperienceofBaskerville
Hall. As Sir Henry and I sat at breakfast the sunlight flooded in through the high mullioned
windows,throwing watery patches of colour from the coats of arms which covered them.The
dark panelling glowed like bronze in the golden rays, and it was hard to realize that this was
indeedthechamberwhichhadstrucksuchagloomintooursoulsupontheeveningbefore.
"Iguessitisourselvesandnotthehousethatwehavetoblame!"saidthebaronet."Wewere
tiredwithourjourneyandchilledbyourdrive,sowetookagrayviewoftheplace.Nowweare
freshandwell,soitisallcheerfuloncemore."
"And yet it was not entirely a question of imagination," I answered. "Did you,forexample,
happentohearsomeone,awomanIthink,sobbinginthenight?"
"Thatiscurious,forIdidwhenIwashalfasleepfancythatIheardsomethingofthesort.I
waitedquiteatime,buttherewasnomoreofit,soIconcludedthatitwasalladream."
"Ihearditdistinctly,andIamsurethatitwasreallythesobofawoman."
"Wemustaskaboutthisrightaway."HerangthebellandaskedBarrymorewhetherhecould
accountforourexperience.Itseemedtomethatthepallidfeaturesofthebutlerturnedashade
palerstillashelistenedtohismaster'squestion.
"Thereareonlytwowomeninthehouse,SirHenry,"heanswered."Oneisthescullerymaid,
whosleepsintheotherwing.Theotherismywife,andIcananswerforitthatthesoundcould
nothavecomefromher."
Andyetheliedashesaidit,foritchancedthatafterbreakfastImetMrs.Barrymoreinthe
longcorridorwiththesunfulluponherface.Shewasalarge,impassive,heavyfeaturedwoman
with a stern set expression of mouth. But her telltale eyes were red and glanced at me from
betweenswollenlids.Itwasshe,then,whoweptinthenight,andifshedidsoherhusbandmust
knowit.Yethehadtakentheobviousriskofdiscoveryindeclaringthatitwasnotso.Whyhad
he done this? And why did she weep so bitterly? Already round this palefaced, handsome,
blackbeardedmantherewasgatheringanatmosphereofmysteryandofgloom.Itwashewho
had been the first to discover the body of Sir Charles, and we had only his word for all the
circumstanceswhichleduptotheoldman'sdeath.WasitpossiblethatitwasBarrymore,after
all,whomwehadseeninthecabinRegentStreet?Thebeardmightwellhavebeenthesame.
Thecabmanhaddescribedasomewhatshorterman,butsuchanimpressionmighteasilyhave
beenerroneous.HowcouldIsettlethepointforever?Obviouslythefirstthingtodowastosee
theGrimpenpostmasterandfindwhetherthetesttelegramhadreallybeenplacedinBarrymore's
ownhands.Betheanswerwhatitmight,IshouldatleasthavesomethingtoreporttoSherlock
Holmes.
SirHenryhadnumerouspaperstoexamineafterbreakfast,sothatthetimewaspropitiousfor
myexcursion.Itwasapleasantwalkoffourmilesalongtheedgeofthemoor,leadingmeatlast
toasmallgrayhamlet,inwhichtwolargerbuildings,whichprovedtobetheinnandthehouse
ofDr.Mortimer,stoodhighabovetherest.Thepostmaster,whowasalsothevillagegrocer,had
aclearrecollectionofthetelegram.
"Certainly,sir,"saidhe,"IhadthetelegramdeliveredtoMr.Barrymoreexactlyasdirected."
"Whodeliveredit?"
"Myboyhere.James,youdeliveredthattelegramtoMr.BarrymoreattheHalllastweek,did
younot?"
"Yes,father,Ideliveredit."
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"Intohisownhands?"Iasked.
"Well,hewasupintheloftatthetime,sothatIcouldnotputitintohisownhands,butIgave
itintoMrs.Barrymore'shands,andshepromisedtodeliveritatonce."
"DidyouseeMr.Barrymore?"
"No,sirItellyouhewasintheloft."
"Ifyoudidn'tseehim,howdoyouknowhewasintheloft?"
"Well,surelyhisownwifeoughttoknowwhereheis,"saidthepostmastertestily."Didn'the
getthetelegram?IfthereisanymistakeitisforMr.Barrymorehimselftocomplain."
Itseemedhopelesstopursuetheinquiryanyfarther,butitwasclearthatinspiteofHolmes's
rusewehadnoproofthatBarrymorehadnotbeeninLondonallthetime.Supposethatitwere
sosupposethatthesamemanhadbeenthelastwhohadseenSirCharlesalive,andthefirstto
dogthenewheirwhenhereturnedtoEngland.Whatthen?Washetheagentofothersorhadhe
some sinister design of his own? What interest could he have in persecuting the Baskerville
family?IthoughtofthestrangewarningclippedoutoftheleadingarticleoftheTimes.Wasthat
hisworkorwasitpossiblythedoingofsomeonewhowasbentuponcounteractinghisschemes?
TheonlyconceivablemotivewasthatwhichhadbeensuggestedbySirHenry,thatifthefamily
couldbescaredawayacomfortableandpermanenthomewouldbesecuredfortheBarrymores.
Butsurely such an explanation as that would be quite inadequate to account for the deep and
subtleschemingwhichseemedtobeweavinganinvisiblenetroundtheyoungbaronet.Holmes
himself had said that no more complex case had come to him in all the long series of his
sensationalinvestigations.Iprayed,asIwalkedbackalongthegray,lonelyroad,thatmyfriend
mightsoonbefreedfromhispreoccupationsandabletocomedowntotakethisheavyburdenof
responsibilityfrommyshoulders.
Suddenlymythoughtswereinterruptedbythesoundofrunningfeetbehindmeandbyavoice
whichcalledmebyname.Iturned,expectingtoseeDr.Mortimer,buttomysurpriseitwasa
stranger who was pursuing me. He was a small, slim, cleanshaven, primfaced man, flaxen
hairedandleanjawed,betweenthirtyandfortyyearsofage,dressedinagraysuitandwearinga
straw hat. A tin box for botanical specimens hung over his shoulder and he carried a green
butterflynetinoneofhishands.
"Youwill,Iamsure,excusemypresumption,Dr.Watson,"saidheashecamepantingupto
whereIstood."Hereonthemoorwearehomelyfolkanddonotwaitforformalintroductions.
You may possibly have heard my name from our mutual friend, Mortimer. I am Stapleton, of
MerripitHouse."
"Yournetandboxwouldhavetoldmeasmuch,"saidI,"forIknewthatMr.Stapletonwasa
naturalist.Buthowdidyouknowme?"
"I have been calling on Mortimer, and he pointed you out to me from the window of his
surgeryasyoupassed.AsourroadlaythesamewayI thought that I would overtake you and
introducemyself.ItrustthatSirHenryisnonetheworseforhisjourney?"
"Heisverywell,thankyou."
"WewereallratherafraidthatafterthesaddeathofSirCharlesthenewbaronetmightrefuse
tolivehere.Itisaskingmuchofawealthymantocomedownandburyhimselfinaplaceofthis
kind,butIneednottellyouthatitmeansaverygreatdealtothecountryside.SirHenryhas,I
suppose,nosuperstitiousfearsinthematter?"
"Idonotthinkthatitislikely."
"Ofcourseyouknowthelegendofthefienddogwhichhauntsthefamily?"
"Ihaveheardit."
"Itisextraordinaryhowcredulousthepeasantsareabouthere!Anynumberofthemareready
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toswearthattheyhaveseensuchacreatureuponthemoor."Hespokewithasmile,butIseemed
toreadinhiseyesthathetookthemattermoreseriously."Thestorytookagreatholduponthe
imaginationofSirCharles,andIhavenodoubtthatitledtohistragicend."
"Buthow?"
"Hisnervesweresoworkedupthattheappearanceofanydogmighthavehadafataleffect
uponhisdiseasedheart.Ifancythathereallydidseesomethingofthekinduponthatlastnight
intheyewalley.Ifearedthatsomedisastermightoccur,forIwasveryfondoftheoldman,and
Iknewthathisheartwasweak."
"Howdidyouknowthat?"
"MyfriendMortimertoldme."
"You think, then, that some dog pursued Sir Charles, and that he died of fright in
consequence?"
"Haveyouanybetterexplanation?"
"Ihavenotcometoanyconclusion."
"HasMr.SherlockHolmes?"
The words took away my breath for an instant but a glance at the placid face and steadfast
eyesofmycompanionshowedthatnosurprisewasintended.
"Itisuselessforustopretendthatwedonotknowyou,Dr.Watson,"saidhe."Therecordsof
your detective have reached us here, and you could not celebrate him without being known
yourself.WhenMortimertold me your name he could not deny your identity. If you are here,
thenitfollowsthatMr.SherlockHolmesisinterestinghimselfinthematter,andIamnaturally
curioustoknowwhatviewhemaytake."
"IamafraidthatIcannotanswerthatquestion."
"MayIaskifheisgoingtohonouruswithavisithimself?"
"Hecannotleavetownatpresent.Hehasothercaseswhichengagehisattention."
"Whatapity!Hemightthrowsomelightonthatwhichissodarktous.Butastoyourown
researches,ifthereisanypossiblewayinwhichIcanbeofservicetoyouItrustthatyouwill
command me. If I had any indication of the nature of your suspicions or how you propose to
investigatethecase,Imightperhapsevennowgiveyousomeaidoradvice."
"IassureyouthatIamsimplyhereuponavisittomyfriend,SirHenry,andthatIneedno
helpofanykind."
"Excellent!" said Stapleton. "You are perfectly right to be wary and discreet. I am justly
reprovedforwhatIfeelwasanunjustifiableintrusion,andIpromiseyouthatIwillnotmention
thematteragain."
Wehadcometoapointwhereanarrowgrassypathstruckofffromtheroadandwoundaway
across the moor.A steep, bouldersprinkled hill lay upon the right which had in bygone days
beencutintoagranitequarry.Thefacewhichwasturnedtowardsusformedadarkcliff,with
fernsandbramblesgrowinginitsniches.Fromoveradistantrisetherefloatedagrayplumeof
smoke.
"AmoderatewalkalongthismoorpathbringsustoMerripitHouse,"said he."Perhapsyou
willspareanhourthatImayhavethepleasureofintroducingyoutomysister."
MyfirstthoughtwasthatIshouldbebySirHenry'sside.ButthenIrememberedthepileof
papersandbillswithwhichhisstudytablewaslittered.ItwascertainthatIcouldnothelpwith
those. And Holmes had expressly said that I should study the neighbours upon the moor. I
acceptedStapleton'sinvitation,andweturnedtogetherdownthepath.
"It is a wonderful place, the moor," said he, looking round over the undulating downs, long
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greenrollers,withcrestsofjaggedgranitefoamingupintofantasticsurges."Younevertireof
themoor.Youcannotthinkthewonderfulsecretswhichitcontains.Itissovast,andsobarren,
andsomysterious."
"Youknowitwell,then?"
"Ihaveonlybeenheretwoyears.Theresidentswouldcallmeanewcomer.Wecameshortly
afterSirCharlessettled.Butmytastesledmetoexploreeverypartofthecountryround,andI
shouldthinkthattherearefewmenwhoknowitbetterthanIdo."
"Isithardtoknow?"
"Very hard. You see, for example, this great plain to the north here with the queer hills
breakingoutofit.Doyouobserveanythingremarkableaboutthat?"
"Itwouldbearareplaceforagallop."
"You would naturally think so and the thought has cost several their lives before now.You
noticethosebrightgreenspotsscatteredthicklyoverit?"
"Yes,theyseemmorefertilethantherest."
Stapleton laughed. "That is the great Grimpen Mire," said he. "A false step yonder means
death to man or beast. Only yesterday I saw one of the moor ponies wander into it. He never
came out. I saw his head for quite a long time craning out of the boghole, but it sucked him
downatlast.Evenindryseasonsitisadangertocrossit,butaftertheseautumnrainsitisan
awfulplace.AndyetIcanfindmywaytotheveryheartofitandreturnalive.ByGeorge,there
isanotherofthosemiserableponies!"
Something brown was rolling and tossing among the green sedges. Then a long, agonized,
writhing neck shot upward and a dreadful cry echoed over the moor. It turned me cold with
horror,butmycompanion'snervesseemedtobestrongerthanmine.
"It'sgone!"saidhe."Themirehashim.Twointwodays,andmanymore,perhaps,forthey
getinthewayofgoingthereinthedryweatherandneverknowthedifferenceuntilthemirehas
theminitsclutches.It'sabadplace,thegreatGrimpenMire."
"Andyousayyoucanpenetrateit?"
"Yes,thereareoneortwopathswhichaveryactivemancantake.Ihavefoundthemout."
"Butwhyshouldyouwishtogointosohorribleaplace?"
"Well,youseethehillsbeyond?Theyarereallyislandscutoffonallsidesbytheimpassable
mire,whichhascrawledroundtheminthecourseofyears.Thatiswheretherareplantsandthe
butterfliesare,ifyouhavethewittoreachthem."
"Ishalltrymylucksomeday."
Helookedatmewithasurprisedface."ForGod'ssakeputsuchanideaoutofyourmind,"
said he. "Your blood would be upon my head. I assure you that there would not be the least
chanceofyourcomingbackalive.ItisonlybyrememberingcertaincomplexlandmarksthatI
amabletodoit."
"Halloa!"Icried."Whatisthat?"
Along,lowmoan,indescribablysad,sweptoverthemoor.Itfilledthe wholeair,andyetit
wasimpossibletosaywhenceitcame.Fromadullmurmuritswelledintoadeeproar,andthen
sank back into a melancholy, throbbing murmur once again. Stapleton looked at me with a
curiousexpressioninhisface.
"Queerplace,themoor!"saidhe.
"Butwhatisit?"
"ThepeasantssayitistheHoundoftheBaskervillescallingforitsprey.I'vehearditonceor
twicebefore,butneverquitesoloud."
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Ilookedround,withachilloffearinmyheart,atthehugeswellingplain,mottledwiththe
green patches of rushes. Nothing stirred over the vast expanse save a pair of ravens, which
croakedloudlyfromatorbehindus.
"You are an educated man.You don't believe such nonsense as that?" said I. "What do you
thinkisthecauseofsostrangeasound?"
"Bogsmakequeernoisessometimes.It'sthemudsettling,orthewaterrising,orsomething."
"No,no,thatwasalivingvoice."
"Well,perhapsitwas.Didyoueverhearabitternbooming?"
"No,Ineverdid."
"It'saveryrarebirdpracticallyextinctinEnglandnow,butallthingsarepossibleuponthe
moor.Yes,Ishouldnotbesurprisedtolearnthatwhatwehaveheardisthecryofthelastofthe
bitterns."
"It'stheweirdest,strangestthingthateverIheardinmylife."
"Yes,it'sratheranuncannyplacealtogether.Lookatthehillsideyonder.Whatdoyoumakeof
those?"
Thewholesteepslopewascoveredwithgraycircularringsofstone,ascoreofthematleast.
"Whatarethey?Sheeppens?"
"No,theyarethehomesofourworthyancestors.Prehistoricmanlivedthicklyonthemoor,
andasnooneinparticularhaslivedtheresince,wefindallhislittlearrangementsexactlyashe
leftthem.Thesearehiswigwamswiththeroofsoff.Youcanevenseehishearthandhiscouchif
youhavethecuriositytogoinside.
"Butitisquiteatown.Whenwasitinhabited?"
"Neolithicmannodate."
"Whatdidhedo?"
"He grazed his cattle on these slopes, and he learned to dig for tin when the bronze sword
begantosupersedethestoneaxe.Lookatthegreattrenchintheoppositehill.Thatishismark.
Yes, you will find some very singular points about the moor, Dr. Watson. Oh, excuse me an
instant!ItissurelyCyclopides."
Asmallflyormothhadflutteredacrossourpath,andinaninstantStapletonwasrushingwith
extraordinaryenergyandspeedinpursuitofit.Tomydismaythecreatureflewstraightforthe
greatmire,andmyacquaintanceneverpausedforaninstant,boundingfromtufttotuftbehindit,
hisgreennetwavingintheair.Hisgrayclothesandjerky,zigzag,irregularprogressmadehim
not unlike some huge moth himself. I was standing watching his pursuit with a mixture of
admiration for his extraordinary activity and fear lest he should lose his footing in the
treacherousmire,whenIheardthesoundofstepsand,turninground,foundawomannearme
upon the path. She had come from the direction in which the plume of smoke indicated the
positionofMerripitHouse,butthedipofthemoorhadhidheruntilshewasquiteclose.
IcouldnotdoubtthatthiswastheMissStapletonofwhomIhadbeentold,sinceladiesofany
sort must be few upon the moor, and I remembered that I had heard someone describe her as
being a beauty.The woman who approached me was certainly that, and of a most uncommon
type.Therecouldnothavebeenagreatercontrastbetweenbrotherandsister,forStapletonwas
neutraltinted,withlighthairandgrayeyes,whileshewasdarkerthananybrunettewhomIhave
seeninEnglandslim,elegant,andtall.Shehadaproud,finelycutface,soregularthatitmight
haveseemed impassive were it not for the sensitive mouth and the beautiful dark, eager eyes.
With her perfect figure and elegant dress she was, indeed, a strange apparition upon a lonely
moorland path. Her eyes were on her brother as I turned, and then she quickened her pace
towardsme.Ihadraisedmyhatandwasabouttomakesomeexplanatoryremarkwhenherown
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wordsturnedallmythoughtsintoanewchannel.
"Goback!"shesaid."GostraightbacktoLondon,instantly."
Icouldonlystareatherinstupidsurprise.Hereyesblazedatme,andshetappedtheground
impatientlywithherfoot.
"WhyshouldIgoback?"Iasked.
"Icannotexplain."Shespokeinalow,eagervoice,withacuriouslispinherutterance."But
forGod'ssakedowhatIaskyou.Gobackandneversetfootuponthemooragain."
"ButIhaveonlyjustcome."
"Man,man!"shecried."Canyounottellwhenawarningisforyourowngood?Gobackto
London!Starttonight!Getawayfromthisplaceatallcosts!Hush,mybrotheriscoming!Nota
word of what I have said. Would you mind getting that orchid for me among the mare'stails
yonder?Weareveryrichinorchidsonthemoor,though,ofcourse,youareratherlatetoseethe
beautiesoftheplace."
Stapletonhadabandonedthechaseandcamebacktousbreathinghardandflushedwithhis
exertions.
"Halloa,Beryl!"saidhe,anditseemedtomethatthetoneofhisgreetingwasnotaltogethera
cordialone.
"Well,Jack,youareveryhot."
"Yes,IwaschasingaCyclopides.Heisveryrareandseldomfoundinthelateautumn.Whata
pitythatIshouldhavemissedhim!"Hespokeunconcernedly,buthissmalllighteyesglanced
incessantlyfromthegirltome.
"Youhaveintroducedyourselves,Icansee."
"Yes. I was telling Sir Henry that it was rather late for him to see the true beauties of the
moor."
"Why,whodoyouthinkthisis?"
"IimaginethatitmustbeSirHenryBaskerville."
"No,no,"saidI."Onlyahumblecommoner,buthisfriend.MynameisDr.Watson."
Aflushofvexationpassedoverherexpressiveface."Wehavebeentalkingatcrosspurposes,"
saidshe.
"Why,youhadnotverymuchtimefortalk,"herbrotherremarkedwiththesamequestioning
eyes.
"I talked as if Dr. Watson were a resident instead of being merely a visitor," said she. "It
cannotmuchmattertohimwhetheritisearlyorlatefortheorchids.Butyouwillcomeon,will
younot,andseeMerripitHouse?"
Ashortwalkbroughtustoit,ableakmoorlandhouse,oncethefarmof somegrazierinthe
old prosperous days, but now put into repair and turned into a modern dwelling.An orchard
surroundedit,butthetrees,asisusualuponthemoor,werestuntedandnipped,andtheeffectof
the whole place was mean and melancholy. We were admitted by a strange, wizened, rusty
coatedoldmanservant,whoseemedinkeepingwiththehouse.Inside,however,therewerelarge
rooms furnished with an elegance in which I seemed to recognize the taste of the lady.As I
looked from their windows at the interminable graniteflecked moor rolling unbroken to the
farthesthorizonIcouldnotbutmarvelatwhatcouldhavebroughtthishighlyeducatedmanand
thisbeautifulwomantoliveinsuchaplace.
"Queerspottochoose,isitnot?"saidheasifinanswertomythought."Andyetwemanage
tomakeourselvesfairlyhappy,dowenot,Beryl?"
"Quitehappy,"saidshe,buttherewasnoringofconvictioninherwords.
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"I had a school," said Stapleton. "It was in the north country. The work to a man of my
temperamentwasmechanicalanduninteresting,buttheprivilegeoflivingwithyouth,ofhelping
tomouldthoseyoungminds,andofimpressingthemwithone'sowncharacterandidealswas
verydeartome.However,thefateswereagainstus.Aseriousepidemicbrokeoutin theschool
and three of the boys died. It never recovered from the blow, and much of my capital was
irretrievablyswallowedup.Andyet,ifitwerenotforthelossofthecharmingcompanionshipof
the boys, I could rejoice over my own misfortune, for, with my strong tastes for botany and
zoology,Ifindanunlimitedfieldofworkhere,andmysisterisasdevotedtoNatureasIam.All
this,Dr.Watson,hasbeenbroughtuponyourheadbyyourexpressionasyousurveyedthemoor
outofourwindow."
"It certainly did cross my mind that it might be a little dullless foryou,perhaps,thanfor
yoursister."
"No,no,Iamneverdull,"saidshequickly.
"Wehavebooks,wehaveourstudies,andwehaveinterestingneighbours.Dr.Mortimerisa
mostlearnedmaninhisownline.PoorSirCharleswasalsoanadmirablecompanion.Weknew
himwellandmisshimmorethanIcantell.DoyouthinkthatIshouldintrudeifIweretocall
thisafternoonandmaketheacquaintanceofSirHenry?"
"Iamsurethathewouldbedelighted."
"Then perhaps you would mention that I propose to do so. We may in our humble way do
something to make things more easy for him until he becomes accustomed to his new
surroundings.Willyoucomeupstairs,Dr.Watson, andinspectmycollectionofLepidoptera?I
thinkitisthemostcompleteoneinthesouthwestofEngland.Bythetimethatyouhavelooked
throughthemlunchwillbealmostready."
But I was eager to get back to my charge. The melancholy of the moor, the death of the
unfortunate pony, the weird sound which had been associated with the grim legend of the
Baskervilles,allthesethingstingedmythoughtswithsadness.Thenonthetopofthesemoreor
less vague impressions there had come the definite and distinct warning of Miss Stapleton,
deliveredwithsuchintenseearnestnessthatIcouldnotdoubtthatsomegraveanddeepreason
lay behind it. I resisted all pressure to stay for lunch, and I set off at once upon my return
journey,takingthegrassgrownpathbywhichwehadcome.
Itseems,however,thattheremusthavebeensomeshortcutforthosewhoknewit,forbefore
IhadreachedtheroadIwasastoundedtoseeMissStapletonsittinguponarockbythesideof
thetrack.Herfacewasbeautifullyflushedwithherexertionsandsheheldherhandtoherside.
"Ihaverunallthewayinordertocutyouoff,Dr.Watson,"saidshe."Ihadnoteventimeto
putonmyhat.Imustnotstop,ormybrothermaymissme.IwantedtosaytoyouhowsorryI
amaboutthestupidmistakeImadeinthinkingthatyouwereSirHenry.Pleaseforgetthewords
Isaid,whichhavenoapplicationwhatevertoyou."
"ButIcan'tforgetthem,MissStapleton,"saidI."IamSirHenry'sfriend,andhiswelfareisa
very close concern of mine.Tell me why it was that you were so eager that Sir Henry should
returntoLondon."
"Awoman'swhim,Dr.Watson.Whenyouknowmebetteryouwillunderstand thatIcannot
alwaysgivereasonsforwhatIsayordo."
"No,no.Irememberthethrillinyourvoice.Irememberthelookinyoureyes.Please,please,
be frank with me, Miss Stapleton, for ever since I have been here I have been conscious of
shadowsallroundme.LifehasbecomelikethatgreatGrimpenMire,withlittlegreenpatches
everywhereintowhichonemaysinkandwithnoguidetopointthetrack.Tellmethenwhatit
wasthatyoumeant,andIwillpromisetoconveyyourwarningtoSirHenry."
Anexpressionofirresolutionpassedforaninstantoverherface,buthereyes had hardened
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againwhensheansweredme.
"Youmaketoomuchofit,Dr.Watson,"saidshe."MybrotherandIwereverymuchshocked
bythedeathofSirCharles.Weknewhimvery intimately,forhisfavouritewalkwasoverthe
moor to our house. He was deeply impressed with the curse which hung over the family, and
whenthistragedycameInaturallyfeltthattheremustbesomegroundsforthefearswhichhe
hadexpressed.Iwasdistressedthereforewhenanothermemberofthefamilycamedowntolive
here,andIfeltthatheshouldbewarnedofthedangerwhichhewillrun.ThatwasallwhichI
intendedtoconvey.
"Butwhatisthedanger?"
"Youknowthestoryofthehound?"
"Idonotbelieveinsuchnonsense."
"ButIdo.IfyouhaveanyinfluencewithSirHenry,takehimawayfromaplacewhichhas
alwaysbeenfataltohisfamily.Theworldiswide.Why shouldhewishtoliveattheplaceof
danger?"
"Becauseitistheplaceofdanger.ThatisSirHenry'snature.Ifearthatunlessyoucangive
mesomemoredefiniteinformationthanthisitwouldbeimpossibletogethimtomove."
"Icannotsayanythingdefinite,forIdonotknowanythingdefinite."
"Iwouldaskyouonemorequestion,MissStapleton.Ifyoumeantnomorethanthiswhenyou
first spoke to me, why should you not wish your brother to overhear what you said?There is
nothingtowhichhe,oranyoneelse,couldobject."
"MybrotherisveryanxioustohavetheHallinhabited,forhethinksitisforthegoodofthe
poor folk upon the moor. He would be very angry if heknewthatIhavesaidanythingwhich
mightinduceSirHenrytogoaway.ButIhavedonemydutynowandIwillsaynomore.Imust
goback,orhewillmissmeandsuspectthatIhaveseenyou.Goodbye!"Sheturnedandhad
disappearedinafewminutesamongthescatteredboulders,whileI,withmysoulfullofvague
fears,pursuedmywaytoBaskervilleHall.
Chapter8.FirstReportofDr.Watson
FromthispointonwardIwillfollowthecourseofeventsbytranscribingmy own letters to
Mr.SherlockHolmeswhichliebeforemeonthetable.Onepageismissing,butotherwisethey
areexactlyaswrittenandshowmyfeelingsandsuspicionsofthemomentmoreaccuratelythan
mymemory,clearasitisuponthesetragicevents,canpossiblydo.
Baskerville Hall, October 13th. MY DEAR HOLMES: My previous letters and telegrams
havekeptyouprettywelluptodateastoallthathasoccurredinthismostGodforsakencorner
oftheworld.Thelongeronestaysherethemoredoesthespiritofthemoorsinkintoone'ssoul,
itsvastness,andalsoitsgrimcharm.Whenyouareonceoutuponitsbosomyouhave left all
tracesofmodernEnglandbehindyou,but,ontheotherhand,youareconsciouseverywhereof
thehomesandtheworkoftheprehistoricpeople.Onallsidesofyouasyouwalkarethehouses
of these forgotten folk, with their graves and the huge monoliths which are supposed to have
markedtheirtemples.Asyoulookattheirgraystonehutsagainstthescarredhillsidesyouleave
yourownagebehindyou,andifyouweretoseeaskinclad,hairymancrawloutfromthelow
doorfittingaflinttippedarrowontothestringofhisbow,youwouldfeelthathispresencethere
wasmorenaturalthanyourown.Thestrangethingisthattheyshouldhavelivedsothicklyon
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whatmustalwayshavebeenmostunfruitfulsoil.Iamnoantiquarian,butIcouldimaginethat
they were some unwarlike and harried race who were forced to accept that which none other
wouldoccupy.
Allthis,however,isforeigntothemissiononwhichyousentmeandwillprobablybevery
uninterestingtoyourseverelypracticalmind.Icanstillrememberyourcompleteindifferenceas
towhetherthesunmovedroundtheearthortheearthroundthesun.Letme,therefore,returnto
thefactsconcerningSirHenryBaskerville.
If you have not had any report within the last few days it is because up to today there was
nothingofimportancetorelate.Thenaverysurprisingcircumstanceoccurred,whichIshalltell
youinduecourse.But,firstofall,Imustkeepyouintouchwithsomeoftheotherfactorsinthe
situation.
Oneofthese,concerningwhichIhavesaidlittle,istheescapedconvictuponthemoor.There
isstrongreasonnowtobelievethathehasgotrightaway,whichisaconsiderablerelieftothe
lonelyhouseholdersofthisdistrict.Afortnighthaspassedsincehisflight,duringwhichhehas
notbeenseenandnothinghasbeenheardofhim.Itissurelyinconceivablethathecouldhave
heldoutuponthemoorduringallthattime.Ofcourse,sofarashisconcealmentgoesthereisno
difficultyatall.Anyoneofthesestonehutswouldgivehimahidingplace.Butthereisnothing
toeatunlessheweretocatchandslaughteroneofthemoorsheep.Wethink,therefore,thathe
hasgone,andtheoutlyingfarmerssleepthebetterinconsequence.
Wearefourablebodiedmeninthishousehold,sothatwecouldtakegoodcareofourselves,
butIconfessthatIhavehaduneasymomentswhenIhavethoughtoftheStapletons.Theylive
milesfromanyhelp.Thereareonemaid,anoldmanservant,thesister,andthebrother,thelatter
not a very strong man. They would be helpless in the hands of a desperate fellow like this
NottingHillcriminalifhecouldonceeffectanentrance.BothSirHenryandIwereconcernedat
their situation, and it was suggested that Perkins the groom should go over to sleep there, but
Stapletonwouldnothearofit.
The fact is that our friend, the baronet, begins to display a considerable interest in our fair
neighbour.Itisnottobewonderedat,fortimehangsheavilyinthislonelyspottoanactiveman
like him, and she is a very fascinating and beautiful woman. There is something tropical and
exoticaboutherwhichformsasingularcontrasttohercoolandunemotionalbrother.Yethealso
givestheideaofhiddenfires.Hehascertainlyaverymarkedinfluenceoverher,forIhaveseen
hercontinuallyglanceathimasshetalkedasifseekingapprobationforwhatshesaid.Itrustthat
heiskindtoher.Thereisadryglitterinhiseyesandafirmsetofhisthinlips,whichgoeswith
apositiveandpossiblyaharshnature.Youwouldfindhimaninterestingstudy.
HecameovertocalluponBaskervilleonthatfirstday,andtheverynextmorninghetookus
bothtoshowusthespotwherethelegendofthewickedHugoissupposedtohavehaditsorigin.
Itwasanexcursionofsomemilesacrossthemoortoaplacewhichissodismalthatitmight
have suggested the story. We found a short valley between rugged tors which led to an open,
grassyspacefleckedoverwiththewhitecottongrass.Inthemiddleofitrosetwogreatstones,
worn and sharpened at the upper end until they looked like the huge corroding fangs of some
monstrousbeast.Ineverywayitcorrespondedwiththesceneoftheoldtragedy.SirHenrywas
much interested and asked Stapleton more than once whether he did really believe in the
possibilityoftheinterferenceofthesupernaturalintheaffairsofmen.Hespokelightly,butit
wasevidentthathewasverymuchinearnest.Stapletonwasguardedinhisreplies,butitwas
easytoseethathesaidlessthanhemight,andthathewouldnotexpresshiswholeopinionout
ofconsiderationforthefeelingsofthebaronet.Hetoldusofsimilarcases,wherefamilieshad
sufferedfromsomeevilinfluence,andheleftuswiththeimpressionthathesharedthepopular
viewuponthematter.
OnourwaybackwestayedforlunchatMerripitHouse,anditwastherethatSirHenrymade
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the acquaintance of Miss Stapleton. From the first moment that he saw her he appeared to be
stronglyattractedbyher,andIammuchmistakenifthefeelingwasnotmutual.Hereferredto
heragainandagainonourwalkhome,andsincethenhardlyadayhaspassedthatwehavenot
seensomethingofthebrotherandsister.Theydineheretonight, and there is some talk of our
going to them next week. One would imagine that such a match would be very welcome to
Stapleton,andyetIhavemorethanoncecaughtalookofthestrongestdisapprobationinhisface
when Sir Henry has been paying some attention to his sister. He is much attached to her, no
doubt,andwouldleadalonelylifewithouther,butitwouldseemtheheightofselfishnessifhe
weretostandinthewayofhermakingsobrilliantamarriage.YetIamcertainthathedoesnot
wishtheirintimacytoripenintolove,andIhaveseveraltimesobservedthathehastakenpains
to prevent them from being teteatete. By the way, yourinstructionstomenevertoallowSir
Henrytogooutalonewillbecomeverymuchmoreonerousifaloveaffairweretobeaddedto
ourotherdifficulties.MypopularitywouldsoonsufferifIweretocarryoutyourorderstothe
letter.
The other dayThursday, to be more exactDr. Mortimer lunched with us. He has been
excavatingabarrowatLongDownandhasgotaprehistoricskullwhichfillshimwithgreatjoy.
Neverwastheresuchasinglemindedenthusiastashe!TheStapletonscameinafterwards,and
the good doctor took us all to the yew alley at Sir Henry's request to show us exactly how
everythingoccurreduponthatfatalnight.Itisalong,dismalwalk,theyewalley,betweentwo
highwallsofclippedhedge,withanarrowbandofgrassuponeitherside.Atthefarendisan
oldtumbledownsummerhouse.Halfwaydownisthemoorgate,wheretheoldgentlemanleft
hiscigarash.Itisawhitewoodengatewithalatch.Beyonditliesthewidemoor.Iremembered
yourtheoryoftheaffairandtriedtopictureallthathadoccurred.Astheoldmanstoodtherehe
sawsomethingcomingacrossthemoor,somethingwhichterrifiedhimsothathelosthiswits
andranandranuntilhediedofsheerhorrorandexhaustion.Therewasthelong,gloomytunnel
down which he fled.And from what?A sheepdog of the moor? Or a spectral hound, black,
silent, and monstrous? Was there a human agency in the matter? Did the pale, watchful
Barrymoreknowmorethanhecaredtosay?Itwasalldimandvague,butalwaysthereisthe
darkshadowofcrimebehindit.
OneotherneighbourIhavemetsinceIwrotelast.ThisisMr.Frankland,ofLafterHall,who
lives some four miles to the south of us. He is an elderly man, redfaced, whitehaired, and
choleric. His passion is for the British law, and he has spent a large fortune in litigation. He
fightsforthemerepleasureoffightingandisequallyreadytotakeupeithersideofaquestion,
sothatitisnowonderthathehasfounditacostlyamusement.Sometimeshewillshutuparight
ofwayanddefytheparishtomakehimopenit.Atothershewillwithhisownhandsteardown
someotherman'sgateanddeclarethatapathhasexistedtherefromtimeimmemorial,defying
theownertoprosecutehimfortrespass.Heislearnedinoldmanorialandcommunalrights,and
he applies his knowledge sometimes in favour of the villagers of Fernworthy and sometimes
againstthem,sothatheisperiodicallyeithercarriedintriumphdownthevillagestreetorelse
burnedineffigy,accordingtohislatestexploit.Heissaidtohaveaboutsevenlawsuitsuponhis
handsatpresent,whichwillprobablyswallowuptheremainderofhisfortuneandsodrawhis
stingandleavehimharmlessforthefuture.Apartfromthelawheseemsakindly,goodnatured
person,andIonlymentionhimbecauseyouwereparticularthatIshouldsendsomedescription
of the people who surround us. He is curiously employed at present, for, being an amateur
astronomer,hehasanexcellenttelescope,withwhichheliesupontheroofofhisownhouseand
sweepsthemooralldayinthehopeofcatchingaglimpseoftheescapedconvict.Ifhewould
confinehisenergiestothisallwouldbewell,buttherearerumoursthatheintendstoprosecute
Dr.Mortimerforopeningagravewithouttheconsentofthenextofkinbecausehedugupthe
NeolithicskullinthebarrowonLongDown.Hehelpstokeepourlivesfrombeingmonotonous
andgivesalittlecomicreliefwhereitisbadlyneeded.
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Andnow,havingbroughtyouuptodateintheescapedconvict,theStapletons,Dr.Mortimer,
and Frankland, of Lafter Hall, let me end on that which is most important and tell you more
abouttheBarrymores,andespeciallyaboutthesurprisingdevelopmentoflastnight.
First of all about the test telegram, which you sent from London in order to make sure that
Barrymorewasreallyhere.Ihavealreadyexplainedthatthetestimonyofthepostmastershows
thatthetestwasworthlessandthatwehavenoproofonewayortheother.ItoldSirHenryhow
the matter stood, and he at once, in his downright fashion, had Barrymore up and asked him
whetherhehadreceivedthetelegramhimself.Barrymoresaidthathehad.
"Didtheboydeliveritintoyourownhands?"askedSirHenry.
Barrymorelookedsurprised,andconsideredforalittletime.
"No,"saidhe,"Iwasintheboxroomatthetime,andmywifebroughtituptome."
"Didyouanswerityourself?"
"NoItoldmywifewhattoanswerandshewentdowntowriteit."
Intheeveningherecurredtothesubjectofhisownaccord.
"Icouldnotquiteunderstandtheobjectofyourquestionsthismorning,SirHenry,"saidhe."I
trustthattheydonotmeanthatIhavedoneanythingtoforfeityourconfidence?"
SirHenryhadtoassurehimthatitwasnotsoandpacifyhimbygivinghimaconsiderable
partofhisoldwardrobe,theLondonoutfithavingnowallarrived.
Mrs. Barrymore is of interest to me. She is a heavy, solid person, very limited, intensely
respectable,andinclinedtobepuritanical.Youcould hardlyconceivealessemotionalsubject.
YetIhavetoldyouhow,onthefirstnighthere,Iheardhersobbingbitterly,andsincethenIhave
more than once observed traces of tears upon her face. Some deep sorrow gnaws ever at her
heart.SometimesIwonderifshehasaguiltymemorywhichhauntsher,andsometimesIsuspect
Barrymoreofbeingadomestictyrant.Ihavealwaysfeltthattherewassomethingsingularand
questionableinthisman'scharacter,buttheadventureoflastnightbringsallmysuspicionstoa
head.
Andyetitmayseemasmallmatterinitself.YouareawarethatIamnotaverysoundsleeper,
andsinceIhavebeenonguardinthishousemyslumbershavebeenlighterthanever.Lastnight,
abouttwointhemorning,Iwasarousedbyastealthysteppassingmyroom.Irose,openedmy
door,andpeepedout.Alongblackshadowwastrailingdownthe corridor.Itwasthrownbya
man who walked softly down the passage with a candle held in his hand. He was in shirt and
trousers,withnocoveringtohisfeet.Icouldmerelyseetheoutline,buthisheighttoldmethatit
was Barrymore. He walked very slowly and circumspectly, and there was something
indescribablyguiltyandfurtiveinhiswholeappearance.
Ihavetoldyouthatthecorridorisbrokenbythebalconywhichrunsroundthehall,butthatit
isresumeduponthefartherside.IwaiteduntilhehadpassedoutofsightandthenIfollowed
him.WhenIcameroundthebalconyhehadreachedtheendofthefarthercorridor,andIcould
seefromtheglimmeroflightthroughanopendoorthathehadenteredoneoftherooms.Now,
alltheseroomsareunfurnishedandunoccupiedsothathisexpeditionbecamemoremysterious
thanever.Thelightshonesteadilyasifhewerestandingmotionless.Icreptdownthepassageas
noiselesslyasIcouldandpeepedroundthecornerofthedoor.
Barrymore was crouching at the window with the candle held against the glass. His profile
washalfturnedtowardsme,andhisfaceseemedtoberigid with expectation as he stared out
into the blackness of the moor. For some minutes he stood watching intently. Then he gave a
deepgroanandwithanimpatientgestureheputoutthelight.InstantlyImademywaybackto
myroom,andveryshortlycamethestealthystepspassingoncemoreupontheirreturnjourney.
LongafterwardswhenIhadfallenintoalightsleepIheardakeyturnsomewhereinalock,butI
couldnottellwhencethesoundcame.WhatitallmeansIcannotguess,butthereissomesecret
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businessgoingoninthishouseofgloomwhichsoonerorlaterweshallgettothebottomof.Ido
nottroubleyouwithmytheories,foryouaskedmetofurnishyouonlywithfacts.Ihavehada
longtalkwithSirHenrythismorning,andwehavemadeaplanofcampaignfoundeduponmy
observationsoflastnight.Iwillnotspeakaboutitjustnow,butitshouldmakemynextreport
interestingreading.
Chapter9.TheLightupontheMoor
[SecondReportofDr.Watson]
BaskervilleHall,Oct.15th.MYDEARHOLMES:IfIwascompelledtoleave youwithout
muchnewsduringtheearlydaysofmymissionyoumustacknowledgethatIammakingupfor
lost time, and that events are now crowding thick and fast upon us. In my last report I ended
uponmytopnotewithBarrymoreatthewindow,andnowIhavequiteabudgetalreadywhich
will, unless I am much mistaken, considerably surprise you.Things havetaken aturnwhichI
could not have anticipated. In some ways they have within the last fortyeight hours become
muchclearerandinsomewaystheyhavebecomemorecomplicated.ButIwilltellyoualland
youshalljudgeforyourself.
Before breakfast on the morning following my adventure I went down the corridor and
examined the room in which Barrymore had been on the night before. The western window
throughwhichhehadstaredsointentlyhas,Inoticed,onepeculiarityaboveallotherwindowsin
thehouseitcommandsthenearestoutlookontothemoor.Thereisanopeningbetween two
treeswhichenablesonefromthispointofviewtolookrightdownuponit,whilefromallthe
other windows it is only a distant glimpse which can be obtained. It follows, therefore, that
Barrymore, since only this window would serve the purpose, must have been looking out for
somethingorsomebodyuponthemoor.Thenightwasverydark,sothatI canhardlyimagine
how he could have hoped to see anyone. It had struck me that it was possible that some love
intrigue was on foot. That would have accounted for his stealthy movements and also for the
uneasinessofhiswife.Themanisastrikinglookingfellow,verywellequippedtostealtheheart
ofacountrygirl,sothatthistheoryseemedtohavesomethingtosupportit.Thatopeningofthe
doorwhichIhadheardafterIhadreturnedtomyroommightmeanthathehadgoneouttokeep
some clandestine appointment. So I reasoned with myself in the morning, and I tell you the
directionofmysuspicions,howevermuchtheresultmayhaveshownthattheywereunfounded.
But whatever the true explanation of Barrymore's movements might be, I felt that the
responsibilityofkeepingthemtomyselfuntilIcouldexplainthemwasmorethanIcouldbear.I
hadaninterviewwiththebaronetinhisstudyafterbreakfast,andItoldhimallthatIhadseen.
HewaslesssurprisedthanIhadexpected.
"IknewthatBarrymorewalkedaboutnights,andIhadamindtospeaktohimaboutit,"said
he."TwoorthreetimesIhaveheardhisstepsinthepassage,comingandgoing,justaboutthe
houryouname."
"Perhapsthenhepaysavisiteverynighttothatparticularwindow,"Isuggested.
"Perhapshedoes.Ifso,weshouldbeabletoshadowhimandseewhatitisthatheisafter.I
wonderwhatyourfriendHolmeswoulddoifhewerehere."
"I believe that he would do exactly what you now suggest," said I. "He would follow
Barrymoreandseewhathedid."
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"Thenweshalldoittogether."
"Butsurelyhewouldhearus."
"Themanisratherdeaf,andinanycasewemusttakeourchanceofthat.We'llsitupinmy
room tonight and wait until he passes." Sir Henry rubbed his hands with pleasure, and it was
evidentthathehailedtheadventureasarelieftohissomewhatquietlifeuponthemoor.
The baronet has been in communication with the architect who prepared the plans for Sir
Charles,andwithacontractorfromLondon,sothatwemayexpectgreatchangestobeginhere
soon.There have been decorators and furnishers up from Plymouth, and it is evident that our
friend has large ideas and means to spare no pains or expense to restore the grandeur of his
family.Whenthehouseisrenovatedandrefurnished,allthathewillneedwillbeawifetomake
it complete. Between ourselves there are pretty clear signs that this will not be wanting if the
ladyiswilling,forIhaveseldomseenamanmoreinfatuatedwithawomanthanheiswithour
beautiful neighbour, Miss Stapleton. And yet the course of true love does not run quite as
smoothly as one would under the circumstances expect. Today, for example, its surface was
broken by a very unexpected ripple, which has caused our friend considerable perplexity and
annoyance.
After the conversation which I have quoted about Barrymore, Sir Henry put on his hat and
preparedtogoout.AsamatterofcourseIdidthesame.
"What,areyoucoming,Watson?"heasked,lookingatmeinacuriousway.
"Thatdependsonwhetheryouaregoingonthemoor,"saidI.
"Yes,Iam."
"Well,youknowwhatmyinstructionsare.Iamsorrytointrude,butyouheardhowearnestly
HolmesinsistedthatIshouldnotleaveyou,andespeciallythatyoushouldnotgoaloneuponthe
moor."
SirHenryputhishanduponmyshoulderwithapleasantsmile.
"Mydearfellow,"saidhe,"Holmes,withallhiswisdom,didnotforeseesomethingswhich
havehappenedsinceIhavebeenonthemoor.Youunderstandme?Iamsurethatyouarethelast
manintheworldwhowouldwishtobeaspoilsport.Imustgooutalone."
Itputmeinamostawkwardposition.Iwasatalosswhattosayorwhattodo,andbeforeI
hadmadeupmymindhepickeduphiscaneandwasgone.
ButwhenIcametothinkthematterovermyconsciencereproachedmebitterlyforhavingon
anypretextallowedhimtogooutofmysight.IimaginedwhatmyfeelingswouldbeifIhadto
returntoyouandtoconfessthatsomemisfortunehadoccurredthroughmydisregardforyour
instructions.Iassureyoumycheeksflushedattheverythought.Itmightnotevennowbetoo
latetoovertakehim,soIsetoffatonceinthedirectionofMerripitHouse.
IhurriedalongtheroadatthetopofmyspeedwithoutseeinganythingofSirHenry,untilI
cametothepointwherethemoorpathbranchesoff.There,fearingthatperhapsIhadcomein
thewrongdirectionafterall,ImountedahillfromwhichIcouldcommandaviewthesame
hillwhichiscutintothedarkquarry.ThenceIsawhimatonce.Hewasonthemoorpathabouta
quarterofamileoff,andaladywasbyhissidewhocouldonlybeMissStapleton.Itwasclear
that there was already an understanding between them and that they had met by appointment.
They were walking slowly along in deep conversation, and I saw her making quick little
movementsofherhandsasifshewereveryearnestinwhatshewassaying,whilehelistened
intently,andonceortwiceshookhisheadinstrongdissent.Istoodamongtherockswatching
them, very much puzzled as to what I should do next. To follow them and break into their
intimateconversationseemedtobeanoutrage,andyetmycleardutywasneverforaninstantto
lethimoutofmysight.Toactthespyuponafriendwasahatefultask.Still,Icouldseenobetter
course than to observe him from the hill, and to clear my conscience by confessing to him
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afterwardswhatIhaddone.ItistruethatifanysuddendangerhadthreatenedhimIwastoofar
away to be of use, and yet I am sure that you will agree with me that the position was very
difficult,andthattherewasnothingmorewhichIcoulddo.
Ourfriend,SirHenry,andtheladyhadhaltedonthepathandwerestandingdeeplyabsorbed
in their conversation, when I was suddenly aware that I was not the only witness of their
interview.Awispofgreen floatingintheaircaughtmyeye,andanotherglanceshowedmethat
itwascarriedonastickbyamanwhowasmovingamongthebrokenground.ItwasStapleton
with his butterflynet. He was very much closer to the pair than I was, and he appeared to be
movingintheirdirection.AtthisinstantSirHenrysuddenlydrewMissStapletontohisside.His
arm was round her, but it seemed to me that she was straining away from him with her face
averted.Hestoopedhisheadtohers,andsheraisedonehandasifinprotest.NextmomentIsaw
themspringapartandturnhurriedlyround.Stapletonwasthecauseoftheinterruption.Hewas
runningwildlytowards them, his absurd net dangling behind him. He gesticulated and almost
dancedwithexcitementinfrontofthelovers.WhatthescenemeantIcouldnotimagine,butit
seemed to me that Stapleton was abusing Sir Henry, who offered explanations, which became
more angry as theotherrefused to accept them.The lady stood by in haughty silence. Finally
Stapleton turned upon his heel and beckoned in a peremptory way to his sister, who, after an
irresolute glance at Sir Henry, walked off by the side of her brother. The naturalist's angry
gestures showed that the ladywas included in his displeasure.The baronet stood for a minute
lookingafterthem,andthenhewalkedslowlybackthewaythathehadcome,hisheadhanging,
theverypictureofdejection.
What all this meant I could not imagine, but I was deeply ashamed to have witnessed so
intimate a scene without my friend's knowledge. I ran down the hill therefore and met the
baronet at the bottom. His face was flushed with anger and his brows were wrinkled, like one
whoisathiswit'sendswhattodo.
"Halloa,Watson!Wherehaveyoudroppedfrom?"saidhe."Youdon'tmeanto saythatyou
cameaftermeinspiteofall?"
I explained everything to him: how I had found it impossible to remain behind, how I had
followedhim,andhowIhadwitnessedallthathadoccurred.Foraninstanthiseyesblazedat
me,butmyfranknessdisarmedhisanger,andhebrokeatlastintoaratherruefullaugh.
"Youwouldhavethoughtthemiddleofthatprairieafairlysafeplaceforamantobeprivate,"
saidhe,"but,bythunder,thewholecountrysideseemstohavebeenouttoseemedomywooing
andamightypoorwooingatthat!Wherehadyouengagedaseat?"
"Iwasonthathill."
"Quiteinthebackrow,eh?Butherbrotherwaswelluptothefront.Didyouseehimcome
outonus?"
"Yes,Idid."
"Didheeverstrikeyouasbeingcrazythisbrotherofhers?"
"Ican'tsaythatheeverdid."
"Idaresaynot.Ialwaysthoughthimsaneenoughuntiltoday,butyoucantakeitfrommethat
eitherheorIoughttobeinastraitjacket.What'sthematterwithme,anyhow?You'velivednear
meforsomeweeks,Watson.Tellmestraight,now!Isthereanythingthatwouldpreventmefrom
makingagoodhusbandtoawomanthatIloved?"
"Ishouldsaynot."
"Hecan'tobjecttomyworldlyposition,soitmustbemyselfthathehasthisdownon.What
hasheagainstme?IneverhurtmanorwomaninmylifethatIknowof.Andyethewouldnot
somuchasletmetouchthetipsofherfingers."
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"Didhesayso?"
"That,andadealmore.Itellyou,Watson,I'veonlyknownherthesefewweeks,butfromthe
firstIjustfeltthatshewasmadeforme,andshe,tooshewashappywhenshewaswithme,
andthatI'llswear.There'salightinawoman'seyesthatspeakslouderthanwords.Buthehas
neverletusgettogetheranditwasonlytodayforthefirsttimethatIsawachanceofhavinga
fewwordswithheralone.Shewasgladtomeetme,butwhenshediditwasnotlovethatshe
wouldtalkabout,andshewouldn'thaveletmetalkaboutiteitherifshecouldhavestoppedit.
Shekeptcomingbacktoitthatthiswasaplaceofdanger,andthatshewouldneverbehappy
untilIhadleftit.ItoldherthatsinceIhadseenherIwasinnohurrytoleaveit,andthatifshe
reallywantedmetogo,theonlywaytoworkitwasforhertoarrangetogowithme.WiththatI
offeredinasmanywordstomarryher,butbeforeshecouldanswer,downcamethisbrotherof
hers,runningatuswithafaceonhimlikeamadman.Hewasjustwhitewithrage,andthose
lighteyesofhiswereblazingwithfury.WhatwasIdoingwiththelady?HowdaredIofferher
attentionswhichweredistastefultoher?DidIthinkthatbecauseIwasabaronetIcoulddowhat
Iliked?IfhehadnotbeenherbrotherIshouldhaveknownbetterhowtoanswerhim.Asitwas
ItoldhimthatmyfeelingstowardshissisterweresuchasIwasnotashamedof,andthatIhoped
thatshemighthonourmebybecomingmywife.Thatseemedtomakethematternobetter,so
then I lost my temper too, and I answered him rather more hotly than I should perhaps,
consideringthatshewasstandingby.Soitendedbyhisgoingoffwithher,asyousaw,andhere
amIasbadlypuzzledamanasanyinthiscounty.Justtellmewhatitallmeans,Watson,andI'll
oweyoumorethaneverIcanhopetopay."
I tried one or two explanations, but, indeed, I was completely puzzled myself. Our friend's
title, his fortune, his age, his character, and his appearance are all in his favour, and I know
nothingagainsthimunlessitbethisdarkfatewhichrunsinhisfamily.Thathisadvancesshould
berejectedsobrusquelywithoutanyreferencetothelady'sownwishesandthattheladyshould
acceptthesituationwithoutprotestisveryamazing.However,ourconjecturesweresetatrestby
a visit from Stapleton himself that very afternoon. He had come to offer apologies for his
rudenessofthemorning,andafteralongprivateinterviewwithSirHenryinhisstudytheupshot
of their conversation was that the breach is quite healed, and that we are to dine at Merripit
HousenextFridayasasignofit.
"Idon'tsaynowthatheisn'tacrazyman,"saidSirHenry"Ican'tforgetthelookinhiseyes
when he ran at me this morning, but I must allow that no man could make a more handsome
apologythanhehasdone."
"Didhegiveanyexplanationofhisconduct?"
"His sister is everything in his life, he says. That is natural enough, and I am glad that he
shouldunderstandhervalue.Theyhavealwaysbeen together,andaccordingtohisaccounthe
hasbeenaverylonelymanwithonlyherasacompanion,sothatthethoughtoflosingherwas
reallyterribletohim.Hehadnotunderstood,hesaid,thatIwasbecomingattachedtoher,but
whenhesawwithhisowneyesthatitwasreallyso,andthatshemightbetakenawayfromhim,
itgavehimsuchashockthatforatimehewasnotresponsibleforwhathesaidordid.Hewas
verysorryforallthathadpassed,andherecognizedhowfoolishandhowselfishitwasthathe
shouldimaginethathecouldholdabeautifulwomanlikehissistertohimselfforherwholelife.
Ifshehadtoleavehimhehadratheritwastoaneighbourlikemyselfthantoanyoneelse.Butin
anycaseitwasablowtohimanditwouldtakehimsometimebeforehecouldpreparehimself
tomeetit.HewouldwithdrawalloppositionuponhispartifIwouldpromiseforthreemonthsto
letthematterrestandtobecontentwithcultivatingthelady'sfriendshipduringthattimewithout
claimingherlove.ThisIpromised,andsothematterrests."
So there is one of our small mysteries cleared up. It is something to have touched bottom
anywhere in this bog in which we are floundering. We know now why Stapleton looked with
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disfavouruponhissister'ssuitorevenwhenthatsuitorwassoeligibleaoneasSirHenry.And
nowIpassontoanotherthreadwhichIhaveextricatedoutofthetangledskein,themysteryof
the sobs in the night, of the tearstained face of Mrs. Barrymore, of the secret journey of the
butlertothewesternlatticewindow.Congratulateme,mydearHolmes,andtellmethatIhave
notdisappointedyouasanagentthatyoudonotregrettheconfidencewhich you showed in
mewhenyousentmedown.Allthesethingshavebyonenight'sworkbeenthoroughlycleared.
Ihavesaid"byonenight'swork,"but,intruth,itwasbytwonights'work,foronthefirstwe
drew entirely blank. I sat up with Sir Henry in his rooms until nearly three o'clock in the
morning,butnosoundofanysortdidwehearexceptthechimingclockuponthestairs.Itwasa
mostmelancholyvigilandendedbyeachofusfallingasleepinourchairs.Fortunatelywewere
not discouraged, and we determined to try again.The next night we lowered the lamp and sat
smoking cigarettes without making the least sound. It was incredible how slowly the hours
crawled by, and yet we were helped through it by the same sort of patient interest which the
huntermustfeelashewatchesthetrapintowhichhehopesthegamemaywander.Onestruck,
andtwo,andwehadalmostforthesecondtimegivenitupindespairwheninaninstantweboth
satboltuprightinourchairswithallourwearysenseskeenlyonthealertoncemore.Wehad
heardthecreakofastepinthepassage.
Very stealthily we heard it pass along until it died away in the distance. Then the baronet
gentlyopenedhisdoorandwesetoutinpursuit.Already ourmanhadgoneroundthegallery
andthecorridorwasallindarkness.Softlywestolealonguntilwehadcomeintotheotherwing.
Wewerejustintimetocatchaglimpseofthetall,blackbeardedfigure,hisshouldersrounded
ashetiptoeddownthepassage.Thenhepassedthroughthesamedoorasbefore,andthelightof
the candle framed it in the darkness and shot one single yellow beam across the gloom of the
corridor.Weshuffledcautiouslytowardsit,tryingeveryplankbeforewedaredtoputourwhole
weightuponit.Wehadtakentheprecautionofleavingourbootsbehindus,but,evenso,theold
boardssnappedandcreakedbeneathourtread.Sometimesitseemedimpossiblethatheshould
fail to hear our approach. However, the man is fortunately rather deaf, and he was entirely
preoccupiedinthatwhichhewasdoing.Whenatlastwereachedthedoorandpeepedthrough
wefoundhimcrouchingatthewindow,candleinhand,hiswhite,intentfacepressedagainstthe
pane,exactlyasIhadseenhimtwonightsbefore.
Wehadarrangednoplanofcampaign,butthebaronetisamantowhomthemostdirectway
isalwaysthemostnatural.Hewalkedintotheroom,andashedidsoBarrymoresprangupfrom
thewindowwithasharphissofhisbreath and stood, livid and trembling, before us. His dark
eyes,glaringoutofthewhitemaskofhisface,werefullofhorrorandastonishmentashegazed
fromSirHenrytome.
"Whatareyoudoinghere,Barrymore?"
"Nothing,sir."Hisagitationwassogreatthathecouldhardlyspeak,andtheshadowssprang
upanddownfromtheshakingofhiscandle."Itwasthewindow,sir.Igoroundatnighttosee
thattheyarefastened."
"Onthesecondfloor?"
"Yes,sir,allthewindows."
"Lookhere,Barrymore,"saidSirHenrysternly,"wehavemadeupourmindstohavethetruth
out of you, so it will save you trouble to tell it sooner rather than later. Come, now! No lies!
Whatwereyoudoingatthatwindow?"
Thefellowlookedatusinahelplessway,andhewrunghishandstogetherlikeonewhoisin
thelastextremityofdoubtandmisery.
"Iwasdoingnoharm,sir.Iwasholdingacandletothewindow."
"Andwhywereyouholdingacandletothewindow?"
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"Don'taskme,SirHenrydon'taskme!Igiveyoumyword,sir,thatitisnotmysecret,and
thatIcannottellit.IfitconcernednoonebutmyselfIwouldnottrytokeepitfromyou."
Asuddenideaoccurredtome,andItookthecandlefromthetremblinghandofthebutler.
"Hemusthavebeenholdingitasasignal,"saidI."Letusseeifthereisanyanswer."Iheldit
ashehaddone,andstaredoutintothedarknessofthenight.VaguelyIcoulddiscerntheblack
bankofthetreesandthelighterexpanseofthemoor,forthemoonwasbehindtheclouds.And
thenI gave a cry of exultation, for a tiny pinpoint of yellow light had suddenly transfixed the
darkveil,andglowedsteadilyinthecentreoftheblacksquareframedbythewindow.
"Thereitis!"Icried.
"No,no,sir,itisnothingnothingatall!"thebutlerbrokein"Iassureyou,sir"
"Moveyourlightacrossthewindow,Watson!"criedthebaronet."See,theothermovesalso!
Now,yourascal,doyoudenythatitisasignal?Come,speakup!Whoisyourconfederateout
yonder,andwhatisthisconspiracythatisgoingon?"
Theman'sfacebecameopenlydefiant."Itismybusiness,andnotyours.Iwillnottell."
"Thenyouleavemyemploymentrightaway."
"Verygood,sir.IfImustImust."
"Andyougoindisgrace.Bythunder,youmaywellbeashamedofyourself.Yourfamilyhas
livedwithmineforoverahundredyearsunderthisroof,andhereIfindyoudeepinsomedark
plotagainstme."
"No, no, sir no, not against you!" It was a woman's voice, and Mrs. Barrymore, paler and
morehorrorstruckthanherhusband,wasstandingatthedoor.Herbulkyfigureinashawland
skirtmighthavebeencomicwereitnotfortheintensityoffeelinguponherface.
"Wehavetogo,Eliza.Thisistheendofit.Youcanpackourthings,"saidthebutler.
"Oh,John,John,haveIbroughtyoutothis?Itismydoing,SirHenryallmine.Hehasdone
nothingexceptformysakeandbecauseIaskedhim."
"Speakout,then!Whatdoesitmean?"
"Myunhappybrotherisstarvingonthemoor.Wecannotlethimperishatourverygates.The
lightisasignaltohimthatfoodisreadyforhim,andhislightoutyonderistoshowthespotto
whichtobringit."
"Thenyourbrotheris"
"Theescapedconvict,sirSelden,thecriminal."
"That'sthetruth,sir,"saidBarrymore."IsaidthatitwasnotmysecretandthatIcouldnottell
ittoyou.Butnowyouhaveheardit,andyouwillseethatiftherewasaplotitwasnotagainst
you."
This,then,wastheexplanationofthestealthyexpeditionsatnightandthelightatthewindow.
Sir Henry and I both stared at the woman in amazement. Was it possible that this stolidly
respectablepersonwasofthesamebloodasoneofthemostnotoriouscriminalsinthecountry?
"Yes,sir,mynamewasSelden,andheismyyoungerbrother.Wehumoured himtoomuch
whenhewasaladandgavehimhisownwayineverythinguntilhecametothinkthattheworld
wasmadeforhispleasure,andthathecoulddowhathelikedinit.Thenashegrewolderhemet
wickedcompanions,andthedevilenteredintohimuntilhebrokemymother'sheartanddragged
ournameinthedirt.Fromcrimetocrimehesanklowerandloweruntilitisonlythemercyof
God which has snatched him from the scaffold but to me, sir, he was always the little curly
headedboythatIhadnursedandplayedwithasaneldersisterwould.Thatwaswhyhebroke
prison,sir.HeknewthatIwashereandthatwecouldnotrefusetohelphim.Whenhedragged
himselfhereonenight,wearyandstarving,with the warders hard at his heels, what could we
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do? We took him in and fed him and cared for him. Then you returned, sir, and my brother
thoughthewouldbesaferonthemoorthananywhereelseuntilthehueandcrywasover,sohe
layinhidingthere.Buteverysecondnightwemadesureifhewasstilltherebyputtingalightin
thewindow,andiftherewasananswermyhusbandtookoutsomebreadandmeattohim.Every
daywehopedthathewasgone,butaslongashewastherewecouldnotdeserthim.Thatisthe
whole truth, as I am an honest Christian woman and you will see that if there is blame in the
matteritdoesnotliewithmyhusbandbutwithme,forwhosesakehehasdoneallthathehas."
Thewoman'swordscamewithanintenseearnestnesswhichcarriedconvictionwiththem.
"Isthistrue,Barrymore?"
"Yes,SirHenry.Everywordofit."
"Well,Icannotblameyouforstandingbyyourownwife.ForgetwhatIhavesaid.Gotoyour
room,youtwo,andweshalltalkfurtheraboutthismatterinthemorning."
Whentheyweregonewelookedoutofthewindowagain.SirHenryhadflungitopen,and
thecoldnightwindbeatinuponourfaces.Farawayintheblackdistancetherestillglowedthat
onetinypointofyellowlight.
"Iwonderhedares,"saidSirHenry.
"Itmaybesoplacedastobeonlyvisiblefromhere."
"Verylikely.Howfardoyouthinkitis?"
"OutbytheCleftTor,Ithink."
"Notmorethanamileortwooff."
"Hardlythat."
"Well, it cannot be far if Barrymore had to carry out the food to it.And he is waiting, this
villain,besidethatcandle.Bythunder,Watson,Iamgoingouttotakethatman!"
Thesamethoughthadcrossedmyownmind.ItwasnotasiftheBarrymoreshadtakenusinto
their confidence. Their secret had been forced from them. The man was a danger to the
community,anunmitigatedscoundrelforwhomtherewasneitherpitynorexcuse.Wewereonly
doingourdutyintakingthischanceofputtinghimbackwherehecoulddonoharm.Withhis
brutalandviolentnature,otherswouldhavetopaythepriceifweheldourhands.Anynight,for
example, our neighbours the Stapletons might be attacked by him, and it may have been the
thoughtofthiswhichmadeSirHenrysokeenupontheadventure.
"Iwillcome,"saidI.
"Thengetyourrevolverandputonyourboots.Thesoonerwestartthe better,asthefellow
mayputouthislightandbeoff."
Infiveminuteswewereoutsidethedoor,startinguponourexpedition.Wehurriedthroughthe
darkshrubbery,amidthedullmoaningoftheautumnwindandtherustleofthefallingleaves.
Thenightairwasheavywiththesmellofdampanddecay.Nowandagainthemoonpeepedout
foraninstant,butcloudsweredrivingoverthefaceofthesky,andjustaswecameoutonthe
moorathinrainbegantofall.Thelightstillburnedsteadilyinfront.
"Areyouarmed?"Iasked.
"Ihaveahuntingcrop."
"Wemustcloseinonhimrapidly,forheissaidtobeadesperatefellow.Weshalltakehimby
surpriseandhavehimatourmercybeforehecanresist."
"I say,Watson," said the baronet, "what would Holmes say to this? How about that hour of
darknessinwhichthepowerofevilisexalted?"
Asifinanswertohiswordsthererosesuddenlyoutofthevastgloomofthemoorthatstrange
crywhichIhadalreadyhearduponthebordersofthegreatGrimpenMire.Itcamewiththewind
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throughthesilenceofthenight,along,deepmutter,thenarisinghowl,andthenthesadmoanin
whichitdiedaway.Againandagainitsounded,thewholeairthrobbing withit,strident,wild,
and menacing. The baronet caught my sleeve and his face glimmered white through the
darkness.
"MyGod,what'sthat,Watson?"
"Idon'tknow.It'sasoundtheyhaveonthemoor.Ihearditoncebefore."
It died away, and an absolute silence closed in upon us. We stood straining our ears, but
nothingcame.
"Watson,"saidthebaronet,"itwasthecryofahound."
Mybloodrancoldinmyveins,fortherewasabreakinhisvoicewhichtold of the sudden
horrorwhichhadseizedhim.
"Whatdotheycallthissound?"heasked.
"Who?"
"Thefolkonthecountryside."
"Oh,theyareignorantpeople.Whyshouldyoumindwhattheycallit?"
"Tellme,Watson.Whatdotheysayofit?"
Ihesitatedbutcouldnotescapethequestion.
"TheysayitisthecryoftheHoundoftheBaskervilles."
Hegroanedandwassilentforafewmoments.
"A hound it was," he said at last, "but it seemed to come from miles away, over yonder, I
think."
"Itwashardtosaywhenceitcame."
"Itroseandfellwiththewind.Isn'tthatthedirectionofthegreatGrimpenMire?"
"Yes,itis."
"Well,itwasupthere.Comenow,Watson,didn'tyouthinkyourselfthat itwas thecryofa
hound?Iamnotachild.Youneednotfeartospeakthetruth."
"StapletonwaswithmewhenIhearditlast.Hesaidthatitmightbethecallingofastrange
bird."
"No,no,itwasahound.MyGod,cantherebesometruthinallthesestories?Isitpossible
thatIamreallyindangerfromsodarkacause?Youdon'tbelieveit,doyou,Watson?"
"No,no."
"AndyetitwasonethingtolaughaboutitinLondon,anditisanothertostandouthereinthe
darknessofthemoorandtohearsuchacryasthat.Andmyuncle!Therewasthefootprintofthe
houndbesidehimashelay.Itallfitstogether.Idon'tthinkthatIamacoward,Watson,butthat
soundseemedtofreezemyveryblood.Feelmyhand!"
Itwasascoldasablockofmarble.
"You'llbeallrighttomorrow."
"Idon'tthinkI'llgetthatcryoutofmyhead.Whatdoyouadvisethatwedonow?"
"Shallweturnback?"
"No,bythunderwehavecomeouttogetourman,andwewilldoit.Weaftertheconvict,and
ahellhound,aslikelyasnot,afterus.Comeon!We'llseeitthroughifallthefiendsofthepit
werelooseuponthemoor."
Westumbledslowlyalonginthedarkness,withtheblackloomofthecraggyhillsaroundus,
and the yellow speck of light burning steadily in front. There is nothing so deceptive as the
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distanceofalightuponapitchdarknight,andsometimestheglimmerseemedtobefaraway
upon the horizon and sometimes it might have been within a few yards of us. But at last we
couldseewhenceitcame,andthenweknewthatwewereindeedveryclose.Agutteringcandle
wasstuckinacreviceoftherockswhichflankeditoneachsidesoastokeepthewindfromit
andalsotopreventitfrombeingvisible,saveinthedirectionofBaskervilleHall.A boulderof
graniteconcealedourapproach,andcrouchingbehinditwegazedoveritatthesignallight.It
wasstrangetoseethissinglecandleburningthereinthemiddleofthemoor,withnosignoflife
nearitjusttheonestraightyellowflameandthegleamoftherockoneachsideofit.
"Whatshallwedonow?"whisperedSirHenry.
"Waithere.Hemustbenearhislight.Letusseeifwecangetaglimpseofhim."
Thewordswerehardlyoutofmymouthwhenwebothsawhim.Overtherocks,inthecrevice
ofwhichthecandleburned,therewasthrustoutanevilyellowface,aterribleanimalface,all
seamed and scored with vile passions. Foul with mire, with a bristling beard, and hung with
mattedhair,itmightwellhavebelongedtooneofthoseoldsavageswhodweltintheburrowson
the hillsides. The light beneath him was reflected in his small, cunning eyes which peered
fiercelytorightandleftthroughthedarknesslikeacraftyandsavageanimalwhohasheardthe
stepsofthehunters.
Somethinghadevidentlyarousedhissuspicions.ItmayhavebeenthatBarrymorehadsome
privatesignalwhichwehadneglectedtogive,orthefellowmayhavehadsomeotherreasonfor
thinking that all was not well, but I could read his fears upon his wicked face.Any instant he
mightdashoutthelightandvanishinthedarkness.Isprangforwardtherefore,andSirHenrydid
thesame.Atthesamemomenttheconvictscreamedouta curseatusandhurledarockwhich
splinteredupagainsttheboulderwhichhadshelteredus.Icaughtoneglimpseofhisshort,squat,
stronglybuiltfigureashesprangtohisfeetandturnedtorun.Atthesame momentbyalucky
chancethemoonbrokethroughtheclouds.Werushedoverthebrowofthehill,andtherewas
ourmanrunningwithgreatspeeddowntheotherside,springingoverthestonesinhiswaywith
theactivityofamountaingoat.Aluckylongshotofmyrevolvermighthavecrippledhim, butI
had brought it only to defend myself if attacked and not to shoot an unarmed man who was
runningaway.
We were both swift runners and in fairly good training, but we soon found that we had no
chanceofovertakinghim.Wesawhimforalongtimeinthemoonlightuntilhewasonlyasmall
speckmovingswiftlyamongthebouldersuponthesideofadistanthill.Weranandranuntilwe
werecompletelyblown,butthespacebetweenusgreweverwider.Finallywestoppedandsat
pantingontworocks,whilewewatchedhimdisappearinginthedistance.
Anditwasatthismomentthatthereoccurredamoststrangeandunexpected thing.We had
risen from ourrocks and wereturning togohome,having abandoned the hopeless chase.The
moonwaslowupontheright,andthejaggedpinnacleofagranitetorstoodupagainstthelower
curveofitssilverdisc.There,outlinedasblackasanebonystatueonthatshiningbackground,I
sawthefigureofamanuponthetor.Donotthinkthatitwasadelusion,Holmes.Iassureyou
thatIhaveneverinmylifeseenanythingmoreclearly.AsfarasIcouldjudge,thefigurewas
thatofatall,thinman.Hestoodwithhislegsalittleseparated,hisarmsfolded,hisheadbowed,
asifhewerebroodingoverthatenormouswildernessofpeatandgranitewhichlaybeforehim.
Hemighthavebeentheveryspiritofthatterribleplace.Itwasnottheconvict.Thismanwasfar
fromtheplacewherethelatterhaddisappeared.Besides,hewasamuchtallerman.Withacry
ofsurpriseIpointedhimouttothebaronet,butintheinstantduringwhichIhadturnedtograsp
hisarmthemanwasgone.Therewasthesharppinnacleofgranitestillcuttingtheloweredgeof
themoon,butitspeakborenotraceofthatsilentandmotionlessfigure.
I wished to go in that direction and to search the tor, but it was some distance away. The
baronet'snerveswerestillquiveringfromthatcry,whichrecalledthedarkstoryofhisfamily,
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andhewasnotinthemoodforfreshadventures.Hehadnotseenthislonelymanuponthetor
andcouldnotfeelthethrillwhichhisstrangepresenceandhiscommandingattitudehadgivento
me. "A warder, no doubt," said he. "The moor has been thick with them since this fellow
escaped." Well, perhaps his explanation may be the right one, but I should like to have some
furtherproofofit.TodaywemeantocommunicatetothePrincetownpeoplewheretheyshould
look for their missing man, but it is hard lines that we have not actually had the triumph of
bringing him back as our own prisoner. Such are the adventures of last night, and you must
acknowledge,mydearHolmes,thatIhavedoneyouverywellinthematterofareport.Muchof
whatItellyouisnodoubtquiteirrelevant,butstillIfeelthatitisbestthatIshouldletyouhave
allthefactsandleaveyoutoselectforyourselfthosewhichwillbeofmostservicetoyouin
helping you to your conclusions. We are certainly making some progress. So far as the
Barrymoresgowehavefoundthemotiveoftheiractions,andthathasclearedupthesituation
verymuch.Butthemoorwithitsmysteriesanditsstrangeinhabitantsremainsasinscrutableas
ever.PerhapsinmynextImaybeabletothrowsomelightuponthisalso.Bestofallwoulditbe
ifyoucouldcomedowntous.Inanycaseyouwillhearfrommeagaininthecourseofthenext
fewdays.
Chapter10.ExtractfromtheDiaryofDr.
Watson
SofarIhavebeenabletoquotefromthereportswhichIhaveforwardedduringtheseearly
daystoSherlockHolmes.Now,however,IhavearrivedatapointinmynarrativewhereIam
compelledtoabandonthismethodandtotrustoncemoretomyrecollections,aidedbythediary
whichIkeptatthetime.Afewextractsfromthelatterwillcarrymeontothosescenes which
are indelibly fixed in every detail upon my memory. I proceed, then, from the morning which
followedourabortivechaseoftheconvictandourotherstrangeexperiencesuponthemoor.
October16th.Adullandfoggydaywithadrizzleofrain.Thehouseis bankedinwithrolling
clouds,whichrisenowandthentoshowthedrearycurvesofthemoor,withthin,silverveins
uponthesidesofthehills,andthedistantbouldersgleamingwherethelightstrikesupontheir
wetfaces.Itismelancholyoutsideandin.Thebaronetisinablackreactionaftertheexcitements
ofthenight.Iamconsciousmyselfofaweightatmyheartandafeelingofimpendingdanger
everpresentdanger,whichisthemoreterriblebecauseIamunabletodefineit.
AndhaveInotcauseforsuchafeeling?Considerthelongsequenceofincidentswhichhave
allpointedtosomesinisterinfluencewhichisatworkaroundus.Thereisthedeathofthelast
occupantoftheHall,fulfillingsoexactlytheconditionsofthefamilylegend,andtherearethe
repeatedreportsfrompeasantsoftheappearanceofastrangecreatureupon the moor.Twice I
have with my own ears heard the sound which resembled the distant baying of a hound. It is
incredible, impossible, that it should really be outside the ordinary laws of nature.A spectral
hound which leaves material footmarks and fills the air with its howling is surely not to be
thoughtof.Stapletonmayfallinwithsuchasuperstition,andMortimeralso,butifIhaveone
qualityuponearthitiscommonsense,andnothingwillpersuademetobelieveinsuchathing.
To do so would be to descend to the level of these poor peasants, who are not content with a
mere fiend dog but must needs describe him with hellfire shooting from his mouth and eyes.
Holmeswouldnotlistentosuchfancies,andIamhisagent.Butfactsarefacts,andIhavetwice
heardthiscryinguponthemoor.Supposethattherewerereallysomehugehoundlooseuponit
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thatwouldgofartoexplaineverything.Butwherecouldsuchahoundlieconcealed,wheredid
it get its food, where did it come from, how was it that no one saw it by day? It must be
confessed that the natural explanation offers almost as many difficulties as the other. And
always,apartfromthehound,thereisthefactofthehumanagencyinLondon,themaninthe
cab,andtheletterwhichwarnedSirHenryagainstthemoor.Thisatleastwasreal,butitmight
havebeentheworkofaprotectingfriendaseasilyasofanenemy.Whereisthatfriendorenemy
now?HasheremainedinLondon,orhashefollowedusdownhere?Couldhecouldhebethe
strangerwhomIsawuponthetor?
ItistruethatIhavehadonlytheoneglanceathim,andyettherearesomethingstowhichI
am ready to swear. He is no one whom I have seen down here, and I have now met all the
neighbours.Thefigurewasfar tallerthan that of Stapleton, farthinnerthan that of Frankland.
Barrymoreitmightpossiblyhavebeen,butwehadlefthimbehindus,andIamcertainthathe
couldnothavefollowedus.Astrangerthenisstill doggingus,justasastrangerdoggedusin
London.Wehavenevershakenhimoff.IfIcouldlaymyhandsuponthatman,thenatlastwe
mightfindourselvesattheendofallourdifficulties.TothisonepurposeImustnowdevoteall
myenergies.
MyfirstimpulsewastotellSirHenryallmyplans.Mysecondandwisestoneistoplaymy
own game and speak as little as possible to anyone. He is silent and distrait. His nerves have
beenstrangelyshakenbythatsounduponthemoor.Iwillsaynothingtoaddtohisanxieties,but
Iwilltakemyownstepstoattainmyownend.
Wehadasmallscenethismorningafterbreakfast.BarrymoreaskedleavetospeakwithSir
Henry,andtheywereclosetedinhisstudysomelittletime.SittinginthebilliardroomImore
than once heard the sound of voices raised, and I had a pretty good idea what the point was
which was under discussion. After a time the baronet opened his door and called for me.
"Barrymoreconsidersthathehasagrievance,"hesaid."Hethinksthatitwasunfaironourpart
tohunthisbrotherinlawdownwhenhe,ofhisownfreewill,hadtoldusthesecret."
Thebutlerwasstandingverypalebutverycollectedbeforeus.
"Imayhavespokentoowarmly,sir,"saidhe,"andifIhave,IamsurethatIbegyourpardon.
Atthesametime,IwasverymuchsurprisedwhenIheardyoutwogentlemencomebackthis
morning and learned that you had been chasing Selden. The poor fellow has enough to fight
againstwithoutmyputtingmoreuponhistrack."
"If you had told us of your own free will it would have been a different thing," said the
baronet,"youonlytoldus,orratheryourwifeonlytoldus,whenitwasforcedfromyouandyou
couldnothelpyourself."
"Ididn'tthinkyouwouldhavetakenadvantageofit,SirHenryindeedIdidn't."
"The man is a public danger. There are lonely houses scattered over the moor, and he is a
fellowwhowouldstickatnothing.Youonlywanttogetaglimpseofhisfacetoseethat.Lookat
Mr.Stapleton'shouse,forexample,withnoonebuthimselftodefendit.There'snosafetyfor
anyoneuntilheisunderlockandkey."
"He'llbreakintonohouse,sir.Igiveyoumysolemnworduponthat.Buthewillnevertrouble
anyone in this country again. I assure you, Sir Henry, that in a very few days the necessary
arrangementswillhavebeenmadeandhewillbeonhiswaytoSouthAmerica.ForGod'ssake,
sir,Ibegofyounottoletthepoliceknowthatheisstillonthemoor.Theyhavegivenupthe
chase there, and he can lie quiet until the ship is ready for him.You can't tell on him without
gettingmywifeandmeintotrouble.Ibegyou,sir,tosaynothingtothepolice."
"Whatdoyousay,Watson?"
Ishruggedmyshoulders."Ifheweresafelyoutofthecountryitwouldrelievethetaxpayerof
aburden."
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"Buthowaboutthechanceofhisholdingsomeoneupbeforehegoes?"
"Hewouldnotdoanythingsomad,sir.Wehaveprovidedhimwithallthathecanwant.To
commitacrimewouldbetoshowwherehewashiding."
"Thatistrue,"saidSirHenry."Well,Barrymore"
"Godblessyou,sir,andthankyoufrommyheart!Itwouldhavekilledmypoorwifehadhe
beentakenagain."
"Iguessweareaidingandabettingafelony,Watson?But,afterwhatwe have heard I don't
feelasifIcouldgivethemanup,sothereisanendofit.Allright,Barrymore,youcango."
Withafewbrokenwordsofgratitudethemanturned,buthehesitatedandthencameback.
"You'vebeensokindtous,sir,thatIshouldliketodothebestIcanforyouinreturn.Iknow
something,SirHenry,andperhapsIshouldhavesaiditbefore,butitwaslongaftertheinquest
that I found it out. I've never breathed a word about it yet to mortal man. It's about poor Sir
Charles'sdeath."
ThebaronetandIwerebothuponourfeet."Doyouknowhowhedied?"
"No,sir,Idon'tknowthat."
"Whatthen?"
"Iknowwhyhewasatthegateatthathour.Itwastomeetawoman."
"Tomeetawoman!He?"
"Yes,sir."
"Andthewoman'sname?"
"Ican'tgiveyouthename,sir,butIcangiveyoutheinitials.HerinitialswereL.L."
"Howdoyouknowthis,Barrymore?"
"Well,SirHenry,yourunclehadaletterthatmorning.Hehadusuallyagreatmanyletters,for
hewasapublicmanandwellknownforhiskindheart,sothateveryonewhowasintroublewas
gladtoturntohim.Butthatmorning,asitchanced,therewasonlythisoneletter,soItookthe
morenoticeofit.ItwasfromCoombeTracey,anditwasaddressedinawoman'shand."
"Well?"
"Well,sir,Ithoughtnomoreofthematter,andneverwouldhavedonehaditnotbeenformy
wife.OnlyafewweeksagoshewascleaningoutSirCharles'sstudyithadneverbeentouched
sincehisdeathandshefoundtheashesofaburnedletterinthebackofthegrate.Thegreater
part of it was charred to pieces, but one little slip, the end of a page, hung together, and the
writing could still be read, though it was gray on a black ground. It seemed to us to be a
postscriptattheendofthe letter and it said: 'Please, please, as you are a gentleman, burn this
letter,andbeatthegatebytenoclock.BeneathitweresignedtheinitialsL.L."
"Haveyougotthatslip?"
"No,sir,itcrumbledalltobitsafterwemovedit."
"HadSirCharlesreceivedanyotherlettersinthesamewriting?"
"Well,sir,Itooknoparticularnoticeofhisletters.Ishouldnothavenoticedthisone,onlyit
happenedtocomealone."
"AndyouhavenoideawhoL.L.is?"
"No,sir.Nomorethanyouhave.ButIexpectifwecouldlayourhandsuponthatladywe
shouldknowmoreaboutSirCharles'sdeath."
"Icannotunderstand,Barrymore,howyoucametoconcealthisimportantinformation."
"Well,sir,itwasimmediatelyafterthatourowntroublecametous.And thenagain,sir,we
werebothofusveryfondofSirCharles,aswewellmightbeconsideringallthathehasdonefor
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us.Torakethisupcouldn'thelpourpoormaster,andit'swelltogocarefullywhenthere'salady
inthecase.Eventhebestofus"
"Youthoughtitmightinjurehisreputation?"
"Well,sir,Ithoughtnogoodcouldcomeofit.Butnowyouhavebeenkindtous,andIfeelas
ifitwouldbetreatingyouunfairlynottotellyouallthatIknowaboutthematter."
"Very good, Barrymore you can go." When the butler had left us Sir Henry turned to me.
"Well,Watson,whatdoyouthinkofthisnewlight?"
"Itseemstoleavethedarknessratherblackerthanbefore."
"So I think. But if we can only trace L. L. it should clear up the whole business. We have
gained that much. We know that there is someone who has the facts if we can only find her.
Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddo?"
"LetHolmesknowallaboutitatonce.Itwillgivehimtheclueforwhichhehasbeenseeking.
Iammuchmistakenifitdoesnotbringhimdown."
Iwentatoncetomyroomanddrewupmyreportofthemorning'sconversationforHolmes.It
wasevidenttomethathehadbeenverybusyoflate,forthenoteswhichIhadfromBakerStreet
were few and short, with no comments upon the information which I had supplied and hardly
anyreferencetomymission.Nodoubthisblackmailingcaseisabsorbingallhisfaculties.And
yet this new factor must surely arrest his attention and renew his interest. I wish that he were
here.
October17th.Alldaytodaytherainpoureddown,rustlingontheivyand drippingfromthe
eaves.Ithoughtoftheconvictoutuponthebleak,cold,shelterlessmoor.Poordevil!Whatever
hiscrimes,hehassufferedsomethingtoatoneforthem.AndthenIthoughtofthatotherone
theface in the cab, the figure against the moon. Was he also out in that delugedthe unseen
watcher,themanofdarkness?IntheeveningIputonmywaterproofandIwalkedfaruponthe
sodden moor, full of dark imaginings, the rain beating upon my face and the wind whistling
aboutmyears.Godhelpthosewhowanderintothegreatmirenow,foreventhefirmuplandsare
becomingamorass.IfoundtheblacktoruponwhichIhadseenthesolitarywatcher,andfrom
itscraggysummitIlookedoutmyselfacrossthemelancholydowns.Rainsquallsdriftedacross
theirrussetface, and the heavy, slatecoloured clouds hung low over the landscape, trailing in
graywreathsdownthesidesofthefantastichills.Inthedistanthollowontheleft,halfhiddenby
themist,thetwothintowersofBaskervilleHallroseabovethetrees.Theyweretheonlysigns
of human life which I could see, save only those prehistoric huts which lay thickly upon the
slopesofthehills.NowherewasthereanytraceofthatlonelymanwhomIhadseenonthesame
spottwonightsbefore.
As I walked back I was overtaken by Dr. Mortimer driving in his dogcart over a rough
moorlandtrackwhichledfromtheoutlyingfarmhouseofFoulmire.Hehasbeenveryattentive
tous,andhardlyadayhaspassedthathehasnotcalledattheHalltoseehowweweregetting
on.Heinsisteduponmyclimbingintohisdogcart,andhegavemealifthomeward.Ifoundhim
muchtroubledoverthedisappearanceofhislittlespaniel.Ithadwanderedontothemoorand
hadnevercomeback.IgavehimsuchconsolationasImight,butIthoughtoftheponyonthe
GrimpenMire,andIdonotfancythathewillseehislittledogagain.
"By the way, Mortimer," said I as we jolted along the rough road, "I suppose there are few
peoplelivingwithindrivingdistanceofthiswhomyoudonotknow?"
"Hardlyany,Ithink."
"Canyou,then,tellmethenameofanywomanwhoseinitialsareL.L.?"
Hethoughtforafewminutes.
"No,"saidhe."ThereareafewgipsiesandlabouringfolkforwhomIcan'tanswer,butamong
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thefarmersorgentrythereisnoonewhoseinitialsarethose.Waitabitthough,"headdedaftera
pause."ThereisLauraLyonsherinitialsareL.L.butshelivesinCoombeTracey."
"Whoisshe?"Iasked.
"SheisFrankland'sdaughter."
"What!OldFranklandthecrank?"
"Exactly.ShemarriedanartistnamedLyons,whocamesketchingonthemoor.Heprovedto
beablackguardanddesertedher.ThefaultfromwhatIhearmaynothavebeenentirelyonone
side. Her father refused to have anything to do with her because she had married without his
consentandperhaps for one or two other reasons as well. So, between the old sinner and the
youngonethegirlhashadaprettybadtime."
"Howdoesshelive?"
"I fancy old Frankland allows her a pittance, but it cannot be more, for his own affairs are
considerably involved. Whatever she may have deserved one could not allow her to go
hopelesslytothebad.Herstorygotabout,andseveralofthepeopleheredidsomethingtoenable
her to earn an honest living. Stapleton did for one, and Sir Charles for another. I gave a trifle
myself.Itwastosetherupinatypewritingbusiness."
Hewantedtoknowtheobjectofmyinquiries,butImanagedtosatisfyhiscuriositywithout
telling him too much, for there is no reason why we should take anyone into our confidence.
Tomorrow morning I shall find my way to Coombe Tracey, and if I can see this Mrs. Laura
Lyons,ofequivocalreputation,alongstepwillhavebeenmadetowardsclearingoneincidentin
thischainofmysteries.Iamcertainlydevelopingthewisdomoftheserpent,forwhenMortimer
pressed his questions to an inconvenient extent I asked him casually to what type Frankland's
skullbelonged,andsoheardnothingbutcraniologyfortherestofourdrive.Ihavenotlivedfor
yearswithSherlockHolmesfornothing.
Ihaveonlyoneotherincidenttorecorduponthistempestuousandmelancholyday.Thiswas
my conversation with Barrymore just now, which gives me one more strong card which I can
playinduetime.
Mortimer had stayed to dinner, and he and the baronet played ecarte afterwards. The butler
broughtmemycoffeeintothelibrary,andItookthechancetoaskhimafewquestions.
"Well,"saidI,"hasthispreciousrelationofyoursdeparted,orishestilllurkingoutyonder?"
"Idon'tknow,sir.Ihopetoheaventhathehasgone,forhehasbroughtnothingbuttrouble
here!I'venotheardofhimsinceIleftoutfoodforhimlast,andthatwasthreedaysago."
"Didyouseehimthen?"
"No,sir,butthefoodwasgonewhennextIwentthatway."
"Thenhewascertainlythere?"
"Soyouwouldthink,sir,unlessitwastheothermanwhotookit."
IsatwithmycoffeecuphalfwaytomylipsandstaredatBarrymore.
"Youknowthatthereisanothermanthen?"
"Yes,sirthereisanothermanuponthemoor."
"Haveyouseenhim?"
"No,sir."
"Howdoyouknowofhimthen?"
"Seldentoldmeofhim,sir,aweekagoormore.He'sinhiding,too,buthe'snotaconvictas
farasIcanmakeout.Idon'tlikeit,Dr.WatsonItellyoustraight,sir,thatIdon'tlikeit."He
spokewithasuddenpassionofearnestness.
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"Now,listentome,Barrymore!Ihavenointerestinthismatterbutthatofyourmaster.Ihave
comeherewithnoobjectexcepttohelphim.Tellme,frankly,whatitisthatyoudon'tlike."
Barrymore hesitated for a moment, as if he regretted his outburst or found it difficult to
expresshisownfeelingsinwords.
"It'sallthesegoingson,sir,"hecriedatlast,wavinghishandtowardstherainlashedwindow
whichfacedthemoor."There'sfoulplaysomewhere,andthere'sblackvillainybrewing,tothat
I'llswear!VerygladIshouldbe,sir,toseeSirHenryonhiswaybacktoLondonagain!"
"Butwhatisitthatalarmsyou?"
"LookatSirCharles'sdeath!Thatwasbadenough,forallthatthecoronersaid.Lookatthe
noisesonthemooratnight.There'snotamanwouldcrossitaftersundownifhewaspaidforit.
Lookatthisstrangerhidingoutyonder,andwatchingandwaiting!What'shewaitingfor?What
doesitmean?ItmeansnogoodtoanyoneofthenameofBaskerville,andverygladIshallbeto
bequitofitallonthedaythatSirHenry'snewservantsarereadytotakeovertheHall."
"Butaboutthisstranger,"saidI."Canyoutellmeanythingabouthim?WhatdidSeldensay?
Didhefindoutwherehehid,orwhathewasdoing?"
"Hesawhimonceortwice,butheisadeeponeandgivesnothingaway.At firsthethought
thathewasthepolice,butsoonhefoundthathehadsomelayofhisown.Akindofgentleman
hewas,asfarashecouldsee,butwhathewasdoinghecouldnotmakeout."
"Andwheredidhesaythathelived?"
"Amongtheoldhousesonthehillsidethestonehutswheretheoldfolkusedtolive."
"Buthowabouthisfood?"
"Seldenfoundoutthathehasgotaladwhoworksforhimandbringsallheneeds.Idaresay
hegoestoCoombeTraceyforwhathewants."
"Very good, Barrymore.We may talk further of this some other time."When thebutlerhad
gone I walked over to the black window, and I looked through a blurred pane at the driving
clouds and at the tossing outline of the windswept trees. It is a wild night indoors, and what
mustitbeinastonehutuponthemoor.Whatpassionofhatredcanitbewhichleadsamanto
lurkinsuchaplaceatsuchatime!Andwhatdeepandearnestpurposecanhehavewhichcalls
forsuchatrial!There,inthathutupon the moor, seemsto lie the very centre of that problem
whichhasvexedmesosorely.IswearthatanotherdayshallnothavepassedbeforeIhavedone
allthatmancandotoreachtheheartofthemystery.
Chapter11.TheManontheTor
Theextractfrommyprivatediarywhichformsthelastchapterhasbroughtmynarrativeupto
theeighteenthofOctober,atimewhenthesestrangeeventsbegantomoveswiftlytowardstheir
terrible conclusion. The incidents of the next few days are indelibly graven upon my
recollection,andIcantellthemwithoutreferencetothenotesmadeatthetime.Istartthemfrom
the day which succeeded that upon which I had established two facts of great importance, the
onethatMrs.LauraLyonsofCoombeTraceyhadwrittentoSirCharlesBaskervilleandmadean
appointmentwithhimattheveryplaceandhourthathemethisdeath,theotherthatthelurking
manuponthemoorwastobefoundamongthestonehutsuponthehillside.Withthesetwofacts
inmypossessionIfeltthateithermyintelligenceormycouragemustbedeficientifIcouldnot
throwsomefurtherlightuponthesedarkplaces.
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IhadnoopportunitytotellthebaronetwhatIhadlearnedaboutMrs.Lyonsupontheevening
before,forDr.Mortimerremainedwithhimatcardsuntilitwasverylate.Atbreakfast,however,
Iinformedhimaboutmydiscoveryandaskedhimwhetherhewouldcaretoaccompanymeto
CoombeTracey.Atfirsthewasveryeagertocome,butonsecondthoughtsitseemedtobothof
usthatifIwentalonetheresultsmightbebetter.The more formal we made the visit the less
informationwemightobtain.IleftSirHenrybehind,therefore,notwithoutsomeprickingsof
conscience,anddroveoffuponmynewquest.
WhenIreachedCoombeTraceyItoldPerkinstoputupthehorses,andImadeinquiriesfor
theladywhomIhadcometointerrogate.Ihadnodifficultyinfindingherrooms,whichwere
centralandwellappointed.A maidshowedmeinwithoutceremony,andasIenteredthesitting
roomalady,whowassittingbeforeaRemingtontypewriter,sprangupwithapleasantsmileof
welcome.Herfacefell,however,whenshesawthatIwasastranger,andshesatdownagainand
askedmetheobjectofmyvisit.
ThefirstimpressionleftbyMrs.Lyonswasoneofextremebeauty.Hereyesandhairwereof
thesamerichhazelcolour,andhercheeks,thoughconsiderablyfreckled,wereflushedwiththe
exquisite bloom of the brunette, the dainty pink which lurks at the heart of the sulphur rose.
Admiration was, I repeat, the first impression. But the second was criticism. There was
somethingsubtlywrongwiththeface,somecoarsenessofexpression,somehardness,perhaps,
of eye, some looseness of lip which marred its perfect beauty. But these, of course, are
afterthoughts. At the moment I was simply conscious that I was in the presence of a very
handsome woman, and that she was asking me the reasons for my visit. I had not quite
understooduntilthatinstanthowdelicatemymissionwas.
"Ihavethepleasure,"saidI,"ofknowingyourfather."
It was a clumsy introduction, and the lady made me feel it. "There is nothing in common
betweenmyfatherandme,"shesaid."Iowehimnothing,andhisfriendsarenotmine.Ifitwere
notforthelateSirCharlesBaskervilleandsomeotherkindheartsImighthavestarvedforall
thatmyfathercared."
"ItwasaboutthelateSirCharlesBaskervillethatIhavecomeheretoseeyou."
Thefrecklesstartedoutonthelady'sface.
"WhatcanItellyouabouthim?"sheasked,andherfingersplayednervouslyoverthestopsof
hertypewriter.
"Youknewhim,didyounot?"
"IhavealreadysaidthatIoweagreatdealtohiskindness.IfIamabletosupportmyselfitis
largelyduetotheinterestwhichhetookinmyunhappysituation."
"Didyoucorrespondwithhim?"
Theladylookedquicklyupwithanangrygleaminherhazeleyes.
"Whatistheobjectofthesequestions?"sheaskedsharply.
"Theobjectistoavoidapublicscandal.ItisbetterthatIshouldaskthemherethanthatthe
mattershouldpassoutsideourcontrol."
Shewassilentandherfacewasstillverypale.Atlastshelookedupwithsomethingreckless
anddefiantinhermanner.
"Well,I'llanswer,"shesaid."Whatareyourquestions?"
"DidyoucorrespondwithSirCharles?"
"Icertainlywrotetohimonceortwicetoacknowledgehisdelicacyandhisgenerosity."
"Haveyouthedatesofthoseletters?"
"No."
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"Haveyouevermethim?"
"Yes,onceortwice,whenhecameintoCoombeTracey.Hewasaveryretiringman,andhe
preferredtodogoodbystealth."
"But if you saw him so seldom and wrote so seldom, how did he know enough about your
affairstobeabletohelpyou,asyousaythathehasdone?"
Shemetmydifficultywiththeutmostreadiness.
"Therewereseveralgentlemenwhoknewmysadhistoryandunitedtohelpme.OnewasMr.
Stapleton,aneighbourandintimatefriendofSirCharles's.Hewasexceedinglykind,anditwas
throughhimthatSirCharleslearnedaboutmyaffairs."
I knew already that Sir Charles Baskerville had made Stapleton his almoner upon several
occasions,sothelady'sstatementboretheimpressoftruthuponit.
"DidyoueverwritetoSirCharlesaskinghimtomeetyou?"Icontinued.
Mrs.Lyonsflushedwithangeragain."Really,sir,thisisaveryextraordinaryquestion."
"Iamsorry,madam,butImustrepeatit."
"ThenIanswer,certainlynot."
"NotontheverydayofSirCharles'sdeath?"
Theflushhadfadedinaninstant,andadeathlyfacewasbeforeme.Herdry lips could not
speakthe"No"whichIsawratherthanheard.
"Surelyyourmemorydeceivesyou,"saidI."Icouldevenquoteapassageofyourletter.Itran
'Please,please,asyouareagentleman,burnthisletter,andbeatthegatebyteno'clock.'"
Ithoughtthatshehadfainted,butsherecoveredherselfbyasupremeeffort.
"Istherenosuchthingasagentleman?"shegasped.
"YoudoSirCharlesaninjustice.Hedidburntheletter.Butsometimesalettermaybelegible
evenwhenburned.Youacknowledgenowthatyouwroteit?"
"Yes,Ididwriteit,"shecried,pouringouthersoulinatorrentofwords."Ididwriteit.Why
shouldIdenyit?Ihavenoreasontobeashamedofit.Iwishedhimtohelpme.Ibelievedthatif
IhadaninterviewIcouldgainhishelp,soIaskedhimtomeetme."
"Butwhyatsuchanhour?"
"BecauseIhadonlyjustlearnedthathewasgoingtoLondonnextdayandmightbeawayfor
months.TherewerereasonswhyIcouldnotgetthereearlier."
"Butwhyarendezvousinthegardeninsteadofavisittothehouse?"
"Doyouthinkawomancouldgoaloneatthathourtoabachelor'shouse?"
"Well,whathappenedwhenyoudidgetthere?"
"Ineverwent."
"Mrs.Lyons!"
"No,IswearittoyouonallIholdsacred.Ineverwent.Somethingintervenedtopreventmy
going."
"Whatwasthat?"
"Thatisaprivatematter.Icannottellit."
"YouacknowledgethenthatyoumadeanappointmentwithSirCharlesattheveryhourand
placeatwhichhemethisdeath,butyoudenythatyoukepttheappointment."
"Thatisthetruth."
AgainandagainIcrossquestionedher,butIcouldnevergetpastthatpoint.
"Mrs.Lyons,"saidIasIrosefromthislongandinconclusiveinterview,"youaretakingavery
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great responsibility and putting yourself in a very false position by not making an absolutely
clean breast of all that you know. If I have to call in the aid of the police you will find how
seriously you are compromised. If your position is innocent, why did you in the first instance
denyhavingwrittentoSirCharlesuponthatdate?"
"Because I feared that some false conclusion might be drawn from it and that I might find
myselfinvolvedinascandal."
"AndwhywereyousopressingthatSirCharlesshoulddestroyyourletter?"
"Ifyouhavereadtheletteryouwillknow."
"IdidnotsaythatIhadreadalltheletter."
"Youquotedsomeofit."
"Iquotedthepostscript.Theletterhad,asIsaid,beenburnedanditwasnotalllegible.Iask
youonceagainwhyitwasthatyouweresopressingthatSirCharlesshoulddestroythisletter
whichhereceivedonthedayofhisdeath."
"Thematterisaveryprivateone."
"Themorereasonwhyyoushouldavoidapublicinvestigation."
"Iwilltellyou,then.IfyouhaveheardanythingofmyunhappyhistoryyouwillknowthatI
madearashmarriageandhadreasontoregretit."
"Ihaveheardsomuch."
"MylifehasbeenoneincessantpersecutionfromahusbandwhomIabhor.Thelawisupon
hisside,andeverydayIamfacedbythepossibilitythathemayforcemetolivewithhim.At
the time that I wrote this letter to Sir Charles I had learned that there was a prospect of my
regaining my freedom if certain expenses could be met. It meant everything to mepeace of
mind,happiness,selfrespecteverything.IknewSirCharles'sgenerosity,andIthoughtthatif
heheardthestoryfrommyownlipshewouldhelpme."
"Thenhowisitthatyoudidnotgo?"
"BecauseIreceivedhelpintheintervalfromanothersource."
"Whythen,didyounotwritetoSirCharlesandexplainthis?"
"SoIshouldhavedonehadInotseenhisdeathinthepapernextmorning."
Thewoman'sstoryhungcoherentlytogether,andallmyquestionswereunabletoshakeit.I
could only check it by finding if she had, indeed, instituted divorce proceedings against her
husbandatoraboutthetimeofthetragedy.
It was unlikely that she would dare to say that she had not been to Baskerville Hall if she
reallyhadbeen,foratrapwouldbenecessarytotakeherthere,andcouldnothavereturnedto
CoombeTraceyuntiltheearlyhoursofthemorning.Suchanexcursioncouldnotbekeptsecret.
The probability was, therefore, that she was telling the truth, or, at least, a part of the truth. I
cameawaybaffledanddisheartened.OnceagainIhadreachedthatdeadwallwhichseemedto
bebuiltacrosseverypathbywhichItriedtogetattheobjectofmymission.AndyetthemoreI
thoughtofthelady'sfaceandofhermannerthemoreIfeltthatsomethingwasbeingheldback
from me.Why should she turn so pale?Why shouldshefightagainsteveryadmissionuntilit
wasforcedfromher?Whyshouldshehavebeensoreticentatthetimeofthetragedy?Surelythe
explanationofallthiscouldnotbeasinnocentasshewouldhavemebelieve.ForthemomentI
couldproceednofartherinthatdirection,butmustturnbacktothatothercluewhichwastobe
soughtforamongthestonehutsuponthemoor.
Andthatwasamostvaguedirection.IrealizeditasIdrovebackandnotedhowhillafterhill
showedtracesoftheancientpeople.Barrymore'sonlyindicationhadbeenthatthestrangerlived
inoneoftheseabandonedhuts,andmanyhundredsofthemarescatteredthroughoutthelength
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andbreadth of the moor. But I had my own experience for a guide since it had shown me the
manhimselfstandinguponthesummitoftheBlackTor.That,then,shouldbethecentreofmy
search.FromthereIshouldexploreeveryhutuponthemooruntilIlightedupontherightone.If
this man were inside it I should find out from his own lips, at the point of my revolver if
necessary,whohewasandwhyhehaddoggedussolong.Hemightslipawayfromusinthe
crowd of Regent Street, but it would puzzle him to do so upon the lonely moor. On the other
hand,ifIshouldfindthehutanditstenantshouldnotbewithinitImustremainthere,however
long the vigil, until he returned. Holmes had missed him in London. It would indeed be a
triumphformeifIcouldrunhimtoearthwheremymasterhadfailed.
Luckhadbeenagainstusagainandagaininthisinquiry,butnowatlastitcametomyaid.
AndthemessengerofgoodfortunewasnoneotherthanMr.Frankland,whowasstanding,gray
whiskeredandredfaced,outsidethegateofhisgarden,whichopenedontothehighroadalong
whichItravelled.
"Goodday, Dr. Watson," cried he with unwonted good humour, "you must really give your
horsesarestandcomeintohaveaglassofwineandtocongratulateme."
My feelings towards him were very far from being friendly after what I had heard of his
treatment of his daughter, but I was anxious to send Perkins and the wagonette home, and the
opportunitywasagoodone.IalightedandsentamessagetoSirHenrythatIshouldwalkover
intimefordinner.ThenIfollowedFranklandintohisdiningroom.
"It is a great day for me, sirone of the redletter days of my life," he cried with many
chuckles."Ihavebroughtoffadoubleevent.Imeantoteachtheminthesepartsthatlawislaw,
and that there is a man here who does not fear to invoke it. I have established a right of way
throughthecentreofoldMiddleton'spark,slapacrossit,sir,withinahundredyardsofhisown
front door. What do you think of that? We'll teach these magnates that they cannot ride
roughshodovertherightsofthecommoners,confoundthem!AndI'veclosedthewoodwhere
theFernworthyfolkusedtopicnic.Theseinfernalpeopleseemtothinkthattherearenorightsof
property,andthattheycanswarmwheretheylikewiththeirpapersandtheirbottles.Bothcases
decided, Dr. Watson, and both in my favour. I haven't had such a day since I had Sir John
Morlandfortrespassbecauseheshotinhisownwarren."
"Howonearthdidyoudothat?"
"Lookitupinthebooks,sir.ItwillrepayreadingFranklandv.Morland,CourtofQueen's
Bench.Itcostme200pounds,butIgotmyverdict."
"Diditdoyouanygood?"
"None,sir,none.IamproudtosaythatIhadnointerestinthematter.Iactentirelyfroma
senseofpublicduty.Ihavenodoubt,forexample,thattheFernworthypeoplewillburnmein
effigy tonight. I told the police last time they did it that they should stop these disgraceful
exhibitions.TheCountyConstabularyisinascandalousstate,sir,andithasnotaffordedmethe
protectiontowhichIamentitled.ThecaseofFranklandv.Reginawillbringthematterbefore
theattentionofthepublic.Itoldthemthattheywouldhaveoccasiontoregrettheirtreatmentof
me,andalreadymywordshavecometrue."
"Howso?"Iasked.
The old man put on a very knowing expression. "Because I could tell them what they are
dyingtoknowbutnothingwouldinducemetohelptherascalsinanyway."
IhadbeencastingroundforsomeexcusebywhichIcouldgetawayfromhisgossip,butnow
Ibegantowishtohearmoreofit.Ihadseenenoughofthecontrarynatureoftheoldsinnerto
understandthatanystrongsignofinterestwouldbethesurestwaytostophisconfidences.
"Somepoachingcase,nodoubt?"saidIwithanindifferentmanner.
"Ha,ha,myboy,averymuchmoreimportantmatterthanthat!Whatabouttheconvictonthe
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moor?"
Istared."Youdon'tmeanthatyouknowwhereheis?"saidI.
"Imaynotknowexactlywhereheis,butIamquitesurethatIcouldhelpthe police to lay
theirhandsonhim.Hasitneverstruckyouthatthewaytocatchthatmanwastofindoutwhere
hegothisfoodandsotraceittohim?"
Hecertainlyseemedtobegettinguncomfortablynearthetruth."Nodoubt,"saidI"buthow
doyouknowthatheisanywhereuponthemoor?"
"IknowitbecauseIhaveseenwithmyowneyesthemessengerwhotakeshimhisfood."
My heart sank for Barrymore. It was a serious thing to be in the power of this spiteful old
busybody.Buthisnextremarktookaweightfrommymind.
"You'll be surprised to hear that his food is taken to him by a child. I see him every day
through my telescope upon the roof. He passes along the same path at the same hour, and to
whomshouldhebegoingexcepttotheconvict?"
Here was luck indeed!And yet I suppressed all appearance of interest.A child! Barrymore
hadsaidthatourunknownwassuppliedbyaboy.Itwasonhistrack,andnotupontheconvict's,
thatFrankland had stumbled. IfI could get his knowledge it might save me a long and weary
hunt.Butincredulityandindifferencewereevidentlymystrongestcards.
"I should say that it was much more likely that it was the son of one of the moorland
shepherdstakingouthisfather'sdinner."
The least appearance of opposition struck fire out of the old autocrat. His eyes looked
malignantlyatme,andhisgraywhiskersbristledlikethoseofanangrycat.
"Indeed,sir!"saidhe,pointingoutoverthewidestretchingmoor."DoyouseethatBlackTor
overyonder?Well,doyouseethelowhillbeyondwiththethornbushuponit?Itisthestoniest
partofthewholemoor.Isthataplacewhereashepherdwouldbelikelytotakehisstation?Your
suggestion,sir,isamostabsurdone."
I meekly answered that I had spoken without knowing all the facts. My submission pleased
himandledhimtofurtherconfidences.
"Youmaybesure,sir,thatIhaveverygoodgroundsbeforeIcometoanopinion.Ihaveseen
theboyagainandagainwithhisbundle.Everyday,andsometimestwiceaday,Ihavebeenable
butwait a moment, Dr. Watson. Do my eyes deceive me, or is there at the present moment
somethingmovinguponthathillside?"
Itwasseveralmilesoff,butIcoulddistinctlyseeasmalldarkdotagainstthedullgreenand
gray.
"Come,sir,come!"criedFrankland,rushingupstairs."Youwillseewithyourowneyesand
judgeforyourself."
Thetelescope,aformidableinstrumentmounteduponatripod,stoodupontheflatleadsofthe
house.Franklandclappedhiseyetoitandgaveacryofsatisfaction.
"Quick,Dr.Watson,quick,beforehepassesoverthehill!"
Therehewas,sureenough,asmallurchinwithalittlebundleuponhisshoulder,toilingslowly
up the hill.When he reached the crest I saw the ragged uncouth figure outlined for an instant
againstthecoldbluesky.Helookedroundhimwithafurtiveandstealthyair,asonewhodreads
pursuit.Thenhevanishedoverthehill.
"Well!AmIright?"
"Certainly,thereisaboywhoseemstohavesomesecreterrand."
"And what the errand is even a county constable could guess. But not one word shall they
havefromme,andIbindyoutosecrecyalso,Dr.Watson.Notaword!Youunderstand!"
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"Justasyouwish."
"They have treated me shamefullyshamefully. When the facts come out in Frankland v.
ReginaIventuretothinkthatathrillofindignationwillrunthroughthecountry.Nothingwould
inducemetohelpthepoliceinanyway.Foralltheycareditmighthavebeenme,insteadofmy
effigy, which these rascals burned at the stake. Surely you are not going! You will help me to
emptythedecanterinhonourofthisgreatoccasion!"
But I resisted all his solicitations and succeeded in dissuading him from his announced
intention of walking home with me. I kept the road as long as his eye was on me, and then I
struck off across the moor and made for the stony hill over which the boy had disappeared.
Everythingwasworkinginmyfavour,andIsworethatitshouldnotbethroughlackofenergyor
perseverancethatIshouldmissthechancewhichfortunehadthrowninmyway.
The sun was already sinking when I reached the summit of the hill, and the long slopes
beneath me were all goldengreen on one side and gray shadow on the other.A haze lay low
upon the farthest skyline, out of which jutted the fantastic shapes of Belliver and Vixen Tor.
Over the wide expanse there was no sound and no movement. One great gray bird, a gull or
curlew,soaredaloftintheblueheaven.HeandIseemedtobetheonlylivingthingsbetweenthe
hugearchoftheskyandthedesertbeneathit.Thebarrenscene,thesenseofloneliness,andthe
mysteryandurgencyofmytaskallstruckachillintomyheart.Theboywasnowheretobeseen.
Butdownbeneathmeinacleftofthehillstherewasacircleoftheoldstonehuts,andinthe
middle of them there was one which retained sufficient roof to act as a screen against the
weather. My heart leaped within me as I saw it. This must be the burrow where the stranger
lurked.Atlastmyfootwasonthethresholdofhishidingplacehissecretwaswithinmygrasp.
As I approached the hut, walking as warily as Stapleton would do when with poisednethe
drew near the settled butterfly, I satisfied myself that the place had indeed been used as a
habitation.Avaguepathwayamongthe bouldersledtothedilapidatedopeningwhichservedas
adoor.Allwas silentwithin.Theunknownmightbelurkingthere,orhemightbeprowlingon
themoor.Mynervestingledwiththesenseofadventure.Throwingasidemycigarette,Iclosed
myhanduponthebuttofmyrevolverand,walkingswiftlyuptothedoor,Ilookedin.Theplace
wasempty.
ButtherewereamplesignsthatIhadnotcomeuponafalsescent.Thiswascertainlywhere
themanlived.Someblanketsrolledinawaterprooflayuponthatverystoneslabuponwhich
Neolithicmanhadonceslumbered.Theashesofafirewereheapedinarudegrate.Besideitlay
some cooking utensils and a bucket halffull of water.A litter of empty tins showed that the
place had been occupied for some time, and I saw, as my eyes became accustomed to the
checkeredlight,apannikinandahalffullbottleofspiritsstandinginthecorner.Inthemiddleof
thehutaflatstoneservedthepurposeofatable,anduponthisstoodasmallclothbundlethe
same, no doubt, which I had seen through the telescope upon the shoulder of the boy. It
containedaloafofbread,atinnedtongue,andtwotinsofpreservedpeaches.AsIsetitdown
again,afterhavingexaminedit,myheartleapedtoseethatbeneathittherelayasheetofpaper
with writing upon it. I raised it, and this was what I read, roughly scrawled in pencil: "Dr.
WatsonhasgonetoCoombeTracey."
ForaminuteIstoodtherewiththepaperinmyhandsthinkingoutthemeaningofthiscurt
message.ItwasI,then,andnotSirHenry,whowasbeingdoggedbythissecretman.Hehadnot
followedmehimself,buthehadsetanagenttheboy,perhapsuponmytrack,andthiswas
his report. Possibly I had taken no step since I had been upon the moor which had not been
observedandreported.Alwaystherewasthisfeelingofanunseenforce,afinenetdrawnround
uswithinfiniteskillanddelicacy,holdingussolightlythatitwasonlyatsomesuprememoment
thatonerealizedthatonewasindeedentangledinitsmeshes.
If there was one report there might be others, so I looked round the hut in search of them.
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Therewasnotrace,however,ofanythingofthekind,norcouldIdiscoveranysignwhichmight
indicatethecharacterorintentionsofthemanwholivedinthissingularplace,savethathemust
beofSpartanhabitsandcaredlittleforthecomfortsoflife.WhenIthoughtoftheheavyrains
andlookedatthegapingroofIunderstoodhowstrongandimmutablemustbethepurposewhich
hadkepthiminthatinhospitableabode.Washeourmalignantenemy,orwashebychanceour
guardianangel?IsworethatIwouldnotleavethehutuntilIknew.
Outsidethesunwassinkinglowandthewestwasblazingwithscarletandgold.Itsreflection
was shot back in ruddy patches by the distant pools which lay amid the great Grimpen Mire.
TherewerethetwotowersofBaskervilleHall,andthereadistantblurofsmokewhichmarked
thevillageofGrimpen.Betweenthetwo,behindthehill,wasthehouseoftheStapletons.All
wassweetandmellowandpeacefulinthegoldeneveninglight,andyetasIlookedatthemmy
soul shared none of the peace of Nature but quivered at the vagueness and the terror of that
interviewwhicheveryinstantwasbringingnearer.Withtinglingnervesbutafixedpurpose,Isat
inthedarkrecessofthehutandwaitedwithsombrepatienceforthecomingofitstenant.
AndthenatlastIheardhim.Farawaycamethesharpclinkofabootstrikinguponastone.
Then another and yet another, coming nearer and nearer. I shrank back into the darkest corner
andcockedthepistolinmypocket,determinednottodiscovermyselfuntilIhadanopportunity
ofseeingsomethingofthestranger.Therewasalongpausewhichshowedthathehadstopped.
Thenoncemorethefootstepsapproachedandashadowfellacrosstheopeningofthehut.
"Itisalovelyevening,mydearWatson,"saidawellknownvoice."Ireallythinkthatyouwill
bemorecomfortableoutsidethanin."
Chapter12.DeathontheMoor
ForamomentortwoIsatbreathless,hardlyabletobelievemyears.Thenmysensesandmy
voice came back to me, while a crushing weight of responsibility seemed in an instant to be
lifted from my soul.That cold, incisive, ironical voice could belong to but one man in all the
world.
"Holmes!"Icried"Holmes!"
"Comeout,"saidhe,"andpleasebecarefulwiththerevolver."
Istoopedundertherudelintel,andtherehesatuponastoneoutside,his gray eyes dancing
withamusementastheyfelluponmyastonishedfeatures.Hewasthinandworn,butclearand
alert,hiskeenfacebronzedbythesunandroughenedbythewind.Inhistweedsuitandcloth
caphelookedlikeanyothertouristuponthemoor,andhehadcontrived,withthatcatlikelove
ofpersonalcleanlinesswhichwasoneofhischaracteristics,thathischinshouldbeassmooth
andhislinenasperfectasifhewereinBakerStreet.
"Ineverwasmoregladtoseeanyoneinmylife,"saidIasIwrunghimbythehand.
"Ormoreastonished,eh?"
"Well,Imustconfesstoit."
"The surprise was not all on one side, I assure you. I had no idea that you had found my
occasionalretreat,stilllessthatyouwereinsideit,untilIwaswithintwentypacesofthedoor."
"Myfootprint,Ipresume?"
"No, Watson, I fear that I could not undertake to recognize your footprint amid all the
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footprintsoftheworld.Ifyouseriouslydesiretodeceivemeyoumustchangeyourtobacconist
for when I see the stub of a cigarette marked Bradley, Oxford Street, I know that my friend
Watsonisin the neighbourhood.You will see it there beside the path.You threw it down, no
doubt,atthatsuprememomentwhenyouchargedintotheemptyhut."
"Exactly."
"I thought as muchand knowing your admirable tenacity I was convinced that you were
sitting in ambush, a weapon within reach, waiting for the tenant to return. So you actually
thoughtthatIwasthecriminal?"
"Ididnotknowwhoyouwere,butIwasdeterminedtofindout."
"Excellent,Watson!Andhowdidyoulocalizeme?Yousawme,perhaps,on thenightofthe
convicthunt,whenIwassoimprudentastoallowthemoontorisebehindme?"
"Yes,Isawyouthen."
"Andhavenodoubtsearchedallthehutsuntilyoucametothisone?"
"No,yourboyhadbeenobserved,andthatgavemeaguidewheretolook."
"Theoldgentlemanwiththetelescope,nodoubt.IcouldnotmakeitoutwhenfirstIsawthe
light flashing upon the lens." He rose and peeped into the hut. "Ha, I see that Cartwright has
broughtupsomesupplies.What'sthispaper?SoyouhavebeentoCoombeTracey,haveyou?"
"Yes."
"ToseeMrs.LauraLyons?"
"Exactly."
"Welldone!Ourresearcheshaveevidentlybeenrunningonparallellines,andwhenweunite
ourresultsIexpectweshallhaveafairlyfullknowledgeofthecase."
"Well,Iamgladfrommyheartthatyouarehere,forindeedtheresponsibilityandthemystery
were both becoming too much for my nerves. But how in the name of wonder did you come
here,andwhathaveyoubeendoing?IthoughtthatyouwereinBakerStreetworkingoutthat
caseofblackmailing."
"ThatwaswhatIwishedyoutothink."
"Thenyouuseme,andyetdonottrustme!"Icriedwithsomebitterness."IthinkthatIhave
deservedbetteratyourhands,Holmes."
"Mydearfellow,youhavebeeninvaluabletomeinthisasinmanyothercases,andIbegthat
youwillforgivemeifIhaveseemedtoplayatrickuponyou.Intruth,itwaspartlyforyourown
sakethatIdidit,anditwasmyappreciationofthedangerwhichyouranwhichledmetocome
downandexaminethematterformyself.HadIbeenwithSirHenryandyouitisconfidentthat
mypointofviewwouldhavebeenthesameasyours,andmypresencewouldhavewarnedour
veryformidableopponentstobeontheirguard.Asitis,IhavebeenabletogetaboutasIcould
not possibly have done had I been living in the Hall, and I remain an unknown factor in the
business,readytothrowinallmyweightatacriticalmoment."
"Butwhykeepmeinthedark?"
"Foryoutoknowcouldnothavehelpedusandmightpossiblyhaveledtomydiscovery.You
would havewished to tell me something,or inyourkindness you would have brought me out
somecomfortorother,andsoanunnecessaryriskwouldberun.IbroughtCartwrightdownwith
meyourememberthelittlechapattheexpressofficeandhehasseenaftermysimplewants:
aloafofbreadandacleancollar.Whatdoesmanwantmore?Hehasgivenmeanextrapairof
eyesuponaveryactivepairoffeet,andbothhavebeeninvaluable."
"Thenmyreportshaveallbeenwasted!"MyvoicetrembledasIrecalledthepainsandthe
pridewithwhichIhadcomposedthem.
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Holmestookabundleofpapersfromhispocket.
"Hereareyourreports,mydearfellow,andverywellthumbed,Iassureyou.Imadeexcellent
arrangements, and they are only delayed one day upon their way. I must compliment you
exceedingly upon the zeal and the intelligence which you have shown over an extraordinarily
difficultcase."
Iwasstillratherrawoverthedeceptionwhichhadbeenpractiseduponme,butthewarmthof
Holmes'spraisedrovemyangerfrommymind.Ifeltalsoinmyheartthathewasrightinwhat
hesaidandthatitwasreallybestforourpurposethatIshouldnothaveknownthathewasupon
themoor.
"That'sbetter,"saidhe,seeingtheshadowrisefrommyface."Andnowtellmetheresultof
yourvisittoMrs.LauraLyonsitwasnotdifficultformetoguessthatitwastoseeherthatyou
hadgone,forIamalreadyawarethatsheistheonepersoninCoombeTraceywhomightbeof
service to us in the matter. In fact, if you had not gone today it is exceedingly probable that I
shouldhavegonetomorrow."
Thesunhadsetandduskwassettlingoverthemoor.Theairhadturnedchillandwewithdrew
intothehutforwarmth.There,sittingtogetherinthetwilight,ItoldHolmesofmyconversation
withthelady.SointerestedwashethatIhadtorepeatsomeofittwicebeforehewassatisfied.
"Thisismostimportant,"saidhewhenIhadconcluded."Itfillsupagapwhich I had been
unabletobridgeinthismostcomplexaffair.Youareaware,perhaps,thatacloseintimacyexists
betweenthisladyandthemanStapleton?"
"Ididnotknowofacloseintimacy."
"There can be no doubt about the matter. They meet, they write, there is a complete
understandingbetweenthem.Now,thisputsaverypowerfulweaponintoourhands.IfIcould
onlyuseittodetachhiswife"
"Hiswife?"
"I am giving you some information now, in return for all that you have given me.The lady
whohaspassedhereasMissStapletonisinrealityhiswife."
"Good heavens, Holmes!Are you sure of what you say? How could he have permitted Sir
Henrytofallinlovewithher?"
"SirHenry'sfallinginlovecoulddonoharmtoanyoneexceptSirHenry.Hetookparticular
carethatSirHenrydidnotmakelovetoher,asyouhaveyourselfobserved.Irepeatthatthelady
ishiswifeandnothissister."
"Butwhythiselaboratedeception?"
"Becauseheforesawthatshewouldbeverymuchmoreusefultohiminthecharacterofafree
woman."
All my unspoken instincts, my vague suspicions, suddenly took shape and centreduponthe
naturalist.Inthatimpassivecolourlessman,withhisstrawhatandhisbutterflynet,Iseemedto
see something terriblea creature of infinite patience and craft, with a smiling face and a
murderousheart.
"Itishe,then,whoisourenemyitishewhodoggedusinLondon?"
"SoIreadtheriddle."
"Andthewarningitmusthavecomefromher!"
"Exactly."
Theshapeofsomemonstrousvillainy,halfseen,halfguessed,loomedthroughthedarkness
whichhadgirtmesolong.
"Butareyousureofthis,Holmes?Howdoyouknowthatthewomanishiswife?"
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"Because he so far forgot himself as to tell you a true piece of autobiography upon the
occasion when he first met you, and I dare say he has many a time regretted it since. He was
once a schoolmaster in the north of England. Now, there is no one more easy to trace than a
schoolmaster.Therearescholasticagenciesbywhichonemayidentifyanymanwhohasbeenin
theprofession.Alittleinvestigationshowedmethat aschoolhadcometogriefunderatrocious
circumstances, and that the man whohadowneditthenamewasdifferenthaddisappeared
with his wife. The descriptions agreed. When I learned that the missing man was devoted to
entomologytheidentificationwascomplete."
Thedarknesswasrising,butmuchwasstillhiddenbytheshadows.
"Ifthiswomanisintruthhiswife,wheredoesMrs.LauraLyonscomein?"Iasked.
"Thatisoneofthepointsuponwhichyourownresearcheshaveshedalight.Yourinterview
with the lady has cleared the situation very much. I did not know about a projected divorce
between herself and her husband. In that case, regarding Stapleton as an unmarried man, she
countednodoubtuponbecominghiswife."
"Andwhensheisundeceived?"
"Why,thenwemayfindtheladyofservice.Itmustbeourfirstdutytoseeherbothofus
tomorrow.Don'tyouthink,Watson,thatyouareawayfromyourchargeratherlong?Yourplace
shouldbeatBaskervilleHall."
Thelastredstreakshadfadedawayinthewestandnighthadsettleduponthemoor.Afew
faintstarsweregleaminginavioletsky.
"Onelastquestion,Holmes,"IsaidasIrose."Surelythereisnoneedofsecrecybetweenyou
andme.Whatisthemeaningofitall?Whatisheafter?"
Holmes'svoicesankasheanswered:
"It is murder, Watsonrefined, coldblooded, deliberate murder. Do not ask me for
particulars.Mynetsareclosinguponhim,evenashisareuponSirHenry,andwithyourhelphe
isalreadyalmostatmymercy.Thereisbutonedangerwhichcanthreatenus.Itisthatheshould
strike before we are ready to do so. Another daytwo at the mostand I have my case
complete,butuntilthenguardyourchargeascloselyaseverafondmotherwatchedherailing
child.Yourmissiontodayhasjustifieditself,andyetIcouldalmostwishthatyouhadnotlefthis
side.Hark!"
A terrible screama prolonged yell of horror and anguishburst out of the silence of the
moor.Thatfrightfulcryturnedthebloodtoiceinmyveins.
"Oh,myGod!"Igasped."Whatisit?Whatdoesitmean?"
Holmeshadsprungtohisfeet,andIsawhisdark,athleticoutlineatthedoorofthehut,his
shouldersstooping,hisheadthrustforward,hisfacepeeringintothedarkness.
"Hush!"hewhispered."Hush!"
Thecryhadbeenloudonaccountofitsvehemence,butithadpealedoutfromsomewherefar
offontheshadowyplain.Nowitburstuponourears,nearer,louder,moreurgentthanbefore.
"Whereisit?"HolmeswhisperedandIknewfromthethrillofhisvoicethathe,themanof
iron,wasshakentothesoul."Whereisit,Watson?"
"There,Ithink."Ipointedintothedarkness.
"No,there!"
Againtheagonizedcrysweptthroughthesilentnight,louderandmuchnearerthanever.And
a new sound mingled with it, a deep, muttered rumble, musical and yet menacing, rising and
fallinglikethelow,constantmurmurofthesea.
"Thehound!"criedHolmes."Come,Watson,come!Greatheavens,ifwearetoolate!"
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Hehadstartedrunningswiftlyoverthemoor,andIhadfollowedathisheels.Butnowfrom
somewhereamongthebrokengroundimmediatelyinfrontofustherecameonelastdespairing
yell, and then a dull, heavy thud. We halted and listened. Not another sound broke the heavy
silenceofthewindlessnight.
IsawHolmesputhishandtohisforeheadlikeamandistracted.Hestampedhisfeetuponthe
ground.
"Hehasbeatenus,Watson.Wearetoolate."
"No,no,surelynot!"
"Fool that I was to hold my hand.And you, Watson, see what comes of abandoning your
charge!But,byHeaven,iftheworsthashappenedwe'llavengehim!"
Blindlyweranthroughthegloom,blunderingagainstboulders,forcingourwaythroughgorse
bushes,pantinguphillsandrushingdownslopes,headingalwaysinthedirectionwhencethose
dreadful sounds had come.At every rise Holmes looked eagerly round him, but the shadows
werethickuponthemoor,andnothingmoveduponitsdrearyface.
"Canyouseeanything?"
"Nothing."
"But,hark,whatisthat?"
Alowmoanhadfallenuponourears.Thereitwasagainuponourleft!Onthatsidearidgeof
rocks ended in a sheer cliff which overlooked a stonestrewn slope. On its jagged face was
spreadeagledsomedark,irregularobject.Aswerantowardsitthevagueoutlinehardenedintoa
definiteshape.Itwasaprostratemanfacedownwardupontheground,theheaddoubledunder
himatahorribleangle,theshouldersroundedandthebodyhunchedtogetherasifintheactof
throwingasomersault.SogrotesquewastheattitudethatIcouldnotfortheinstantrealizethat
thatmoanhadbeenthepassingofhissoul.Notawhisper,notarustle,rosenowfromthedark
figure over which we stooped. Holmes laid his hand upon him and held it up again with an
exclamationofhorror.Thegleamof thematchwhichhestruckshoneuponhisclottedfingers
and upon the ghastly pool which widened slowly from the crushed skull of the victim. And it
shone upon something else which turned our hearts sick and faint within usthe body of Sir
HenryBaskerville!
Therewasnochanceofeitherofusforgettingthatpeculiarruddytweedsuittheveryone
whichhehadwornonthefirstmorningthatwehadseenhiminBakerStreet.Wecaughttheone
clearglimpseofit,andthenthematchflickeredandwentout,evenasthehopehadgoneoutof
oursouls.Holmesgroaned,andhisfaceglimmeredwhitethroughthedarkness.
"Thebrute!Thebrute!"Icriedwithclenchedhands."OhHolmes,Ishallneverforgivemyself
forhavinglefthimtohisfate."
"Iammoretoblamethanyou,Watson.Inordertohavemycasewellroundedandcomplete,I
have thrown away the life of my client. It is the greatest blow which has befallen me in my
career.ButhowcouldIknowhowcouldIknowthathewould risk hislife aloneuponthe
moorinthefaceofallmywarnings?"
"ThatweshouldhaveheardhisscreamsmyGod,thosescreams!andyethavebeenunable
to save him!Where is this brute of a hound which drove him to his death? It may be lurking
amongtheserocksatthisinstant.AndStapleton,whereishe?Heshallanswerforthisdeed."
"He shall. I will see to that. Uncle and nephew have been murderedthe one frightened to
deathbytheverysightofabeastwhichhethoughttobesupernatural,theotherdriventohisend
inhiswildflighttoescapefromit.Butnowwehavetoprovetheconnectionbetweentheman
and the beast. Save from what we heard, we cannot even swear to the existence of the latter,
sinceSirHenryhasevidentlydiedfromthefall.But,byheavens, cunning as he is, the fellow
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shallbeinmypowerbeforeanotherdayispast!"
Westoodwithbitterheartsoneithersideofthemangledbody,overwhelmedbythissudden
andirrevocabledisasterwhichhadbroughtallourlongandwearylabourstosopiteousanend.
Thenasthemoonroseweclimbedtothetopoftherocksoverwhichourpoorfriendhadfallen,
andfromthesummitwegazedoutovertheshadowymoor,halfsilverandhalfgloom.Faraway,
miles off, in the direction of Grimpen, a single steady yellow light was shining. It could only
comefromthelonelyabodeoftheStapletons.WithabittercurseIshookmyfistatitasIgazed.
"Whyshouldwenotseizehimatonce?"
"Ourcaseisnotcomplete.Thefellowiswaryandcunningtothelastdegree.Itisnotwhatwe
know,butwhatwecanprove.Ifwemakeonefalsemovethevillainmayescapeusyet."
"Whatcanwedo?"
"Therewillbeplentyforustodotomorrow.Tonightwecanonlyperformthelastofficesto
ourpoorfriend."
Together we made our way down the precipitous slope and approached the body,blackand
clearagainstthesilveredstones.Theagonyofthosecontortedlimbsstruckmewithaspasmof
painandblurredmyeyeswithtears.
"Wemustsendforhelp,Holmes!WecannotcarryhimallthewaytotheHall.Goodheavens,
areyoumad?"
Hehadutteredacryandbentoverthebody.Nowhewasdancingandlaughingandwringing
myhand.Couldthisbemystern,selfcontainedfriend?Thesewerehiddenfires,indeed!
"Abeard!Abeard!Themanhasabeard!"
"Abeard?"
"Itisnotthebaronetitiswhy,itismyneighbour,theconvict!"
Withfeverishhastewehadturnedthebodyover,andthatdrippingbeardwaspointingupto
the cold, clear moon.There could be no doubt about the beetling forehead, the sunken animal
eyes.Itwasindeedthesamefacewhichhadglareduponmeinthelightofthecandlefromover
therockthefaceofSelden,thecriminal.
Theninaninstantitwasallcleartome.Irememberedhowthebaronethadtoldmethathe
hadhandedhisoldwardrobetoBarrymore.BarrymorehadpasseditoninordertohelpSelden
inhisescape.Boots,shirt,capitwasallSirHenry's.Thetragedywasstillblackenough,but
thismanhadat least deserved death by thelawsofhis country.ItoldHolmes how thematter
stood,myheartbubblingoverwiththankfulnessandjoy.
"Thentheclotheshavebeenthepoordevil'sdeath,"saidhe."Itisclearenoughthatthehound
hasbeenlaidonfromsomearticleofSirHenry'sthebootwhichwasabstractedinthehotel,in
allprobabilityandsoranthismandown.Thereisoneverysingularthing,however:Howcame
Selden,inthedarkness,toknowthatthehoundwasonhistrail?"
"Heheardhim."
"To hear a hound upon the moor would not work a hard man like this convict into such a
paroxysm of terror that he would risk recapture by screaming wildly for help. By his cries he
musthaverunalongwayafterheknewtheanimalwasonhistrack.Howdidheknow?"
"Agreatermysterytomeiswhythishound,presumingthatallourconjecturesarecorrect"
"Ipresumenothing."
"Well, then, why this hound should be loose tonight. I suppose that it does not always run
looseuponthemoor.StapletonwouldnotletitgounlesshehadreasontothinkthatSirHenry
wouldbethere."
"Mydifficultyisthemoreformidableofthetwo,forIthinkthatweshallveryshortlygetan
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explanationofyours,whileminemayremainforeveramystery.Thequestionnowis,whatshall
wedowiththispoorwretch'sbody?Wecannotleaveitheretothefoxesandtheravens."
"Isuggestthatweputitinoneofthehutsuntilwecancommunicatewiththepolice."
"Exactly.IhavenodoubtthatyouandIcouldcarryitsofar.Halloa,Watson,what'sthis?It's
themanhimself,byallthat'swonderfulandaudacious!Notawordtoshowyoursuspicions
notaword,ormyplanscrumbletotheground."
Afigurewasapproachingusoverthemoor,andIsawthedullredglowofacigar.Themoon
shoneuponhim,andIcoulddistinguishthedappershapeandjauntywalkofthenaturalist.He
stoppedwhenhesawus,andthencameonagain.
"Why,Dr.Watson,that'snotyou,isit?YouarethelastmanthatIshouldhaveexpectedtosee
outonthemooratthistimeofnight.But,dearme,what'sthis?Somebodyhurt?Notdon'ttell
methatitisourfriendSirHenry!"Hehurriedpastmeandstoopedoverthedeadman.Ihearda
sharpintakeofhisbreathandthecigarfellfromhisfingers.
"Whowho'sthis?"hestammered.
"ItisSelden,themanwhoescapedfromPrincetown."
Stapleton turned a ghastly face upon us, but by a supreme effort he had overcome his
amazementandhisdisappointment.HelookedsharplyfromHolmestome."Dearme!Whata
veryshockingaffair!Howdidhedie?"
"He appears to have broken his neck by falling over these rocks. My friend and I were
strollingonthemoorwhenweheardacry."
"Iheardacryalso.Thatwaswhatbroughtmeout.IwasuneasyaboutSirHenry."
"WhyaboutSirHenryinparticular?"Icouldnothelpasking.
"BecauseIhadsuggestedthatheshouldcomeover.WhenhedidnotcomeI wassurprised,
andInaturallybecamealarmedforhissafetywhenIheardcriesuponthemoor.Bytheway"
hiseyesdartedagainfrommyfacetoHolmes's"didyouhearanythingelsebesidesacry?"
"No,"saidHolmes"didyou?"
"No."
"Whatdoyoumean,then?"
"Oh,youknowthestoriesthatthepeasantstellaboutaphantomhound,andsoon.Itissaidto
be heard at nightupon the moor. Iwaswonderingiftherewereanyevidenceofsuchasound
tonight."
"Weheardnothingofthekind,"saidI.
"Andwhatisyourtheoryofthispoorfellow'sdeath?"
"Ihavenodoubtthatanxietyandexposurehavedrivenhimoffhishead.Hehasrushedabout
themoorinacrazystateandeventuallyfallenoverhereandbrokenhisneck."
"Thatseemsthemostreasonabletheory,"saidStapleton,andhegaveasighwhichItookto
indicatehisrelief."Whatdoyouthinkaboutit,Mr.SherlockHolmes?"
Myfriendbowedhiscompliments."Youarequickatidentification,"saidhe.
"WehavebeenexpectingyouinthesepartssinceDr.Watsoncamedown.You areintimeto
seeatragedy."
"Yes,indeed.Ihavenodoubtthatmyfriend'sexplanationwillcoverthefacts.Iwilltakean
unpleasantremembrancebacktoLondonwithmetomorrow."
"Oh,youreturntomorrow?"
"Thatismyintention."
"Ihopeyourvisithascastsomelightuponthoseoccurrenceswhichhavepuzzledus?"
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Holmesshruggedhisshoulders.
"Onecannotalwayshavethesuccessforwhichonehopes.Aninvestigatorneedsfactsandnot
legendsorrumours.Ithasnotbeenasatisfactorycase."
Myfriendspokeinhisfrankestandmostunconcernedmanner.Stapletonstilllookedhardat
him.Thenheturnedtome.
"I would suggest carrying this poor fellow to my house, but it would give my sister such a
frightthatIdonotfeeljustifiedindoingit.Ithinkthatifweputsomethingoverhisfacehewill
besafeuntilmorning."
And so it was arranged. Resisting Stapleton's offer of hospitality, Holmes and I set off to
BaskervilleHall,leavingthenaturalisttoreturnalone.Lookingbackwesawthefiguremoving
slowlyawayoverthebroadmoor,andbehindhimthatoneblacksmudgeonthesilveredslope
whichshowedwherethemanwaslyingwhohadcomesohorriblytohisend.
Chapter13.FixingtheNets
"We're at close grips at last," said Holmes as we walked together across the moor. "What a
nerve the fellow has! How he pulled himself together in the face of what must have been a
paralyzingshockwhenhefoundthatthewrongmanhadfallenavictimtohisplot.Itoldyouin
London,Watson,andItellyounowagain,thatwehaveneverhadafoemanmoreworthyofour
steel."
"Iamsorrythathehasseenyou."
"AndsowasIatfirst.Buttherewasnogettingoutofit."
"Whateffectdoyouthinkitwillhaveuponhisplansnowthatheknowsyouarehere?"
"It may cause him to be more cautious, or it may drive him to desperate measures at once.
Likemostclevercriminals,hemaybetooconfidentinhisownclevernessandimaginethathe
hascompletelydeceivedus."
"Whyshouldwenotarresthimatonce?"
"My dear Watson, you were born to be a man of action. Your instinct is always to do
somethingenergetic.Butsupposing,forargument'ssake,thatwehadhimarrestedtonight,what
onearththebetteroffshouldwebeforthat?Wecouldprovenothingagainsthim.There'sthe
devilishcunningofit!Ifhewereactingthroughahumanagentwecouldgetsomeevidence,but
ifweweretodragthisgreatdogtothelightofdayitwouldnothelpusinputtingaroperound
theneckofitsmaster."
"Surelywehaveacase."
"Notashadowofoneonlysurmiseandconjecture.Weshouldbelaughedoutofcourtifwe
camewithsuchastoryandsuchevidence."
"ThereisSirCharles'sdeath."
"Founddeadwithoutamarkuponhim.YouandIknowthathediedofsheer fright,andwe
knowalsowhatfrightenedhim,buthowarewetogettwelvestolidjurymentoknowit?What
signsarethereofahound?Wherearethemarksofitsfangs?Ofcourseweknowthatahound
doesnotbiteadeadbodyandthatSirCharleswasdeadbeforeeverthebruteovertookhim.But
wehavetoproveallthis,andwearenotinapositiontodoit."
"Well,then,tonight?"
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"Wearenotmuchbetterofftonight.Again,therewasnodirectconnectionbetweenthehound
andtheman'sdeath.Weneversawthehound.Weheard it,butwecouldnotprovethatitwas
running uponthis man's trail. There is a complete absence of motive. No, my dear fellow we
mustreconcileourselvestothefactthatwehavenocaseatpresent,andthatitisworthourwhile
torunanyriskinordertoestablishone."
"Andhowdoyouproposetodoso?"
"IhavegreathopesofwhatMrs.LauraLyonsmaydoforuswhenthepositionofaffairsis
madecleartoher.AndIhavemyownplanaswell. Sufficientfortomorrowistheevilthereof
butIhopebeforethedayispasttohavetheupperhandatlast."
Icoulddrawnothingfurtherfromhim,andhewalked,lostinthought,asfarastheBaskerville
gates.
"Areyoucomingup?"
"YesIseenoreasonforfurtherconcealment.Butonelastword,Watson.Saynothingofthe
houndtoSirHenry.LethimthinkthatSelden'sdeathwasasStapletonwouldhaveusbelieve.
Hewillhaveabetternervefortheordealwhichhewillhavetoundergotomorrow,whenheis
engaged,ifIrememberyourreportaright,todinewiththesepeople."
"AndsoamI."
"Thenyoumustexcuseyourselfandhemustgoalone.Thatwillbeeasilyarranged.Andnow,
ifwearetoolatefordinner,Ithinkthatwearebothreadyforoursuppers."
SirHenrywasmorepleasedthansurprisedtoseeSherlockHolmes,forhehadforsomedays
been expecting that recent events would bring him down from London. He did raise his
eyebrows,however,whenhefoundthatmyfriendhadneitheranyluggagenoranyexplanations
for its absence. Between us we soon supplied his wants, and then over a belated supper we
explainedtothebaronetasmuchofourexperienceasitseemeddesirablethatheshouldknow.
But first I had the unpleasantduty of breaking thenews to Barrymore and his wife.To him it
mayhavebeenanunmitigatedrelief,butsheweptbitterlyinherapron.Toalltheworldhewas
themanofviolence,halfanimalandhalfdemonbuttoherhealwaysremainedthelittlewilful
boyofherowngirlhood,thechildwhohadclungtoherhand.Evilindeedisthemanwhohas
notonewomantomournhim.
"I've been moping in the house all day since Watson went off in the morning," said the
baronet."IguessIshouldhavesomecredit,forIhavekeptmypromise.IfIhadn'tswornnotto
go about alone I might have had a more lively evening, for I had a message from Stapleton
askingmeoverthere."
"Ihavenodoubtthatyouwouldhavehadamorelivelyevening,"saidHolmesdrily."Bythe
way,Idon'tsupposeyouappreciatethatwehavebeenmourningoveryouashavingbrokenyour
neck?"
SirHenryopenedhiseyes."Howwasthat?"
"Thispoorwretchwasdressedinyourclothes.Ifearyourservantwhogavethemtohimmay
getintotroublewiththepolice."
"Thatisunlikely.Therewasnomarkonanyofthem,asfarasIknow."
"That'sluckyforhiminfact,it'sluckyforallofyou,sinceyouareallonthewrongsideof
thelawinthismatter.Iamnotsurethatasaconscientiousdetectivemyfirstdutyisnottoarrest
thewholehousehold.Watson'sreportsaremostincriminatingdocuments."
"Buthowaboutthecase?"askedthebaronet."Haveyoumadeanythingoutofthetangle?I
don'tknowthatWatsonandIaremuchthewisersincewecamedown."
"IthinkthatIshallbeinapositiontomakethesituationrathermorecleartoyoubeforelong.
It has been an exceedingly difficult and most complicated business. There are several points
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uponwhichwestillwantlightbutitiscomingallthesame."
"We've had one experience, as Watson has no doubt told you. We heard the hound on the
moor,soIcanswearthatitisnotallemptysuperstition.IhadsomethingtodowithdogswhenI
was outWest, and I know one when I hear one. If you can muzzle that one and put him on a
chainI'llbereadytoswearyouarethegreatestdetectiveofalltime."
"IthinkIwillmuzzlehimandchainhimallrightifyouwillgivemeyourhelp."
"WhateveryoutellmetodoIwilldo."
"VerygoodandIwillaskyoualsotodoitblindly,withoutalwaysaskingthereason."
"Justasyoulike."
"IfyouwilldothisIthinkthechancesarethatourlittleproblemwillsoonbesolved.Ihave
nodoubt"
Hestoppedsuddenlyandstaredfixedlyupovermyheadintotheair.Thelampbeatuponhis
face,andsointentwasitandsostillthatitmighthavebeenthatofaclearcutclassicalstatue,a
personificationofalertnessandexpectation.
"Whatisit?"webothcried.
Icouldseeashelookeddownthathewasrepressingsomeinternalemotion.Hisfeatureswere
stillcomposed,buthiseyesshonewithamusedexultation.
"Excuse the admiration of a connoisseur," said he as he waved his hand towards the line of
portraitswhichcoveredtheoppositewall."Watsonwon'tallowthatIknowanythingofartbut
thatismerejealousybecauseourviewsuponthesubjectdiffer.Now,theseareareallyveryfine
seriesofportraits."
"Well,I'mgladtohearyousayso,"saidSirHenry,glancingwithsomesurpriseatmyfriend.
"Idon'tpretendtoknowmuchaboutthesethings,andI'dbeabetterjudgeofahorseorasteer
thanofapicture.Ididn'tknowthatyoufoundtimeforsuchthings."
"IknowwhatisgoodwhenIseeit,andIseeitnow.That'saKneller,I'llswear,thatladyin
thebluesilkoveryonder,andthestoutgentlemanwiththewigoughttobeaReynolds.Theyare
allfamilyportraits,Ipresume?"
"Everyone."
"Doyouknowthenames?"
"Barrymorehasbeencoachingmeinthem,andIthinkIcansaymylessonsfairlywell."
"Whoisthegentlemanwiththetelescope?"
"That is RearAdmiral Baskerville, who served under Rodney in the West Indies. The man
with the blue coat and the roll of paper is Sir William Baskerville, who was Chairman of
CommitteesoftheHouseofCommonsunderPitt."
"AndthisCavalieroppositetometheonewiththeblackvelvetandthelace?"
"Ah, you have a right to know about him.That is the cause of all the mischief,thewicked
Hugo,whostartedtheHoundoftheBaskervilles.We'renotlikelytoforgethim."
Igazedwithinterestandsomesurpriseupontheportrait.
"Dearme!"saidHolmes,"heseemsaquiet,meekmanneredmanenough,butIdaresaythat
therewasalurkingdevilinhiseyes.Ihadpicturedhimasamorerobustandruffianlyperson."
"There'snodoubtabouttheauthenticity,forthenameandthedate,1647,areonthebackof
thecanvas."
Holmessaidlittlemore,butthepictureoftheoldroystererseemedtohaveafascinationfor
him,andhiseyeswerecontinuallyfixeduponitduringsupper.Itwasnotuntillater,whenSir
Henryhadgonetohisroom,thatIwasabletofollowthetrendofhisthoughts.Heledmeback
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into the banquetinghall, his bedroom candle in his hand, and he held it up against the time
stainedportraitonthewall.
"Doyouseeanythingthere?"
Ilookedatthebroadplumedhat,thecurlinglovelocks,thewhitelacecollar,andthestraight,
severefacewhichwasframedbetweenthem.Itwasnotabrutalcountenance,butitwasprim,
hard,andstern,withafirmset,thinlippedmouth,andacoldlyintoleranteye.
"Isitlikeanyoneyouknow?"
"ThereissomethingofSirHenryaboutthejaw."
"Justasuggestion,perhaps.Butwaitaninstant!"Hestooduponachair,and,holdingupthe
lightinhislefthand,hecurvedhisrightarmoverthebroadhatandroundthelongringlets.
"Goodheavens!"Icriedinamazement.
ThefaceofStapletonhadsprungoutofthecanvas.
"Ha,youseeitnow.Myeyeshavebeentrainedtoexaminefacesandnottheirtrimmings.Itis
thefirstqualityofacriminalinvestigatorthatheshouldseethroughadisguise."
"Butthisismarvellous.Itmightbehisportrait."
"Yes, it is an interesting instance of a throwback, which appears to be both physical and
spiritual.Astudyoffamilyportraitsisenoughto convertamantothedoctrineofreincarnation.
ThefellowisaBaskervillethatisevident."
"Withdesignsuponthesuccession."
"Exactly. This chance of the picture has supplied us with one of our most obvious missing
links.Wehavehim,Watson,wehavehim,andIdareswearthatbeforetomorrownighthewill
beflutteringinournetashelplessasoneofhisownbutterflies.Apin,acork,andacard,andwe
addhimtotheBakerStreetcollection!"Heburstintooneofhisrarefitsoflaughterasheturned
away from the picture. I have not heard him laugh often, and it has always boded ill to
somebody.
Iwasupbetimesinthemorning,butHolmeswasafootearlierstill,forIsawhimasIdressed,
comingupthedrive.
"Yes,weshouldhaveafulldaytoday,"heremarked,andherubbedhishandswiththejoyof
action."Thenetsareallinplace,andthedragisabouttobegin.We'llknowbeforethedayisout
whetherwehavecaughtourbig,leanjawedpike,orwhetherhehasgotthroughthemeshes."
"Haveyoubeenonthemooralready?"
"I have sent a report from Grimpen to Princetown as to the death of Selden. I think I can
promisethatnoneofyouwillbetroubledinthematter.AndIhavealsocommunicatedwithmy
faithfulCartwright,whowouldcertainlyhavepinedawayatthedoorofmyhut,asadogdoesat
hismaster'sgrave,ifIhadnotsethismindatrestaboutmysafety."
"Whatisthenextmove?"
"ToseeSirHenry.Ah,hereheis!"
"Goodmorning,Holmes,"saidthebaronet."Youlooklikeageneralwhoisplanningabattle
withhischiefofthestaff."
"Thatistheexactsituation.Watsonwasaskingfororders."
"AndsodoI."
"Verygood.Youareengaged,asIunderstand,todinewithourfriendstheStapletonstonight."
"I hope that you will come also. They are very hospitable people, and I am sure that they
wouldbeverygladtoseeyou."
"IfearthatWatsonandImustgotoLondon."
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"ToLondon?"
"Yes,Ithinkthatweshouldbemoreusefulthereatthepresentjuncture."
Thebaronet'sfaceperceptiblylengthened.
"Ihopedthatyouweregoingtoseemethroughthisbusiness.TheHallandthemoorarenot
verypleasantplaceswhenoneisalone."
"Mydearfellow,youmusttrustmeimplicitlyanddoexactlywhatItellyou.Youcantellyour
friendsthatweshouldhavebeenhappytohavecomewithyou,butthaturgentbusinessrequired
ustobeintown.WehopeverysoontoreturntoDevonshire.Willyouremembertogivethem
thatmessage?"
"Ifyouinsistuponit."
"Thereisnoalternative,Iassureyou."
I saw by the baronet's clouded brow that he was deeply hurt by what he regarded as our
desertion.
"Whendoyoudesiretogo?"heaskedcoldly.
"Immediatelyafterbreakfast.WewilldriveintoCoombeTracey,but Watson will leave his
thingsasapledgethathewillcomebacktoyou.Watson,youwillsendanotetoStapletontotell
himthatyouregretthatyoucannotcome."
"I have a good mind to go to London with you," said the baronet. "Why should I stay here
alone?"
"Becauseitisyourpostofduty.Becauseyougavemeyourwordthatyouwould do as you
weretold,andItellyoutostay."
"Allright,then,I'llstay."
"One more direction! I wish you to drive to Merripit House. Send back your trap, however,
andletthemknowthatyouintendtowalkhome."
"Towalkacrossthemoor?"
"Yes."
"Butthatistheverythingwhichyouhavesooftencautionedmenottodo."
"Thistimeyoumaydoitwithsafety.IfIhadnoteveryconfidenceinyournerveandcourageI
wouldnotsuggestit,butitisessentialthatyoushoulddoit."
"ThenIwilldoit."
"Andasyouvalueyourlifedonotgoacrossthemoorinanydirectionsavealongthestraight
pathwhichleadsfromMerripitHousetotheGrimpenRoad,andisyournaturalwayhome."
"Iwilldojustwhatyousay."
"Very good. I should be glad to get away as soon after breakfast as possible, so as to reach
Londonintheafternoon."
I was much astounded by this programme, though I remembered that Holmes had said to
Stapletononthenightbeforethathisvisitwouldterminatenextday.Ithadnotcrossedmymind
however,thathewouldwishmetogowithhim,norcouldIunderstandhowwecouldbothbe
absentatamomentwhichhehimselfdeclaredtobecritical.Therewasnothingforit,however,
but implicit obedience so we bade goodbye to our rueful friend, and a couple of hours
afterwardswewereatthestationofCoombeTraceyandhaddispatchedthetrapuponitsreturn
journey.Asmallboywaswaitingupontheplatform.
"Anyorders,sir?"
"Youwilltakethistraintotown,Cartwright.Themomentyouarriveyouwillsendawireto
SirHenryBaskerville,inmyname,tosaythatifhefindsthepocketbookwhichIhavedropped
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heistosenditbyregisteredposttoBakerStreet."
"Yes,sir."
"Andaskatthestationofficeifthereisamessageforme."
Theboyreturnedwithatelegram,whichHolmeshandedtome.Itran:
Wirereceived.Comingdownwithunsignedwarrant.Arrivefiveforty.Lestrade.
"Thatisinanswertomineofthismorning.Heisthebestoftheprofessionals,Ithink,andwe
may need his assistance. Now,Watson, I think that we cannot employ our time better than by
callinguponyouracquaintance,Mrs.LauraLyons."
His plan of campaign was beginning to be evident. He would use the baronet in order to
convincetheStapletonsthatwewerereallygone,whileweshouldactuallyreturnattheinstant
whenwewerelikelytobeneeded.ThattelegramfromLondon,ifmentionedbySirHenrytothe
Stapletons,mustremovethelastsuspicionsfromtheirminds.AlreadyIseemedtosee ournets
drawingcloseraroundthatleanjawedpike.
Mrs. Laura Lyons was in her office, and Sherlock Holmes opened his interview with a
franknessanddirectnesswhichconsiderablyamazedher.
"I am investigating the circumstances which attended the death of the late Sir Charles
Baskerville," said he. "My friend here, Dr. Watson, has informed me of what you have
communicated,andalsoofwhatyouhavewithheldinconnectionwiththatmatter."
"WhathaveIwithheld?"sheaskeddefiantly.
"YouhaveconfessedthatyouaskedSirCharlestobeatthegateatteno'clock.Weknowthat
thatwastheplaceandhourofhisdeath.Youhavewithheldwhattheconnectionisbetweenthese
events."
"Thereisnoconnection."
"Inthatcasethecoincidencemustindeedbeanextraordinaryone.ButIthinkthatweshall
succeedinestablishingaconnection,afterall.Iwishtobeperfectlyfrankwithyou,Mrs.Lyons.
Weregardthiscaseasoneofmurder,andtheevidencemayimplicatenotonlyyourfriendMr.
Stapletonbuthiswifeaswell."
Theladysprangfromherchair.
"Hiswife!"shecried.
"Thefactisnolongerasecret.Thepersonwhohaspassedforhissisterisreallyhiswife."
Mrs.Lyonshadresumedherseat.Herhandsweregraspingthearmsofherchair,andIsaw
thatthepinknailshadturnedwhitewiththepressureofhergrip.
"Hiswife!"shesaidagain."Hiswife!Heisnotamarriedman."
SherlockHolmesshruggedhisshoulders.
"Proveittome!Proveittome!Andifyoucandoso!"
Thefierceflashofhereyessaidmorethananywords.
"Ihavecomepreparedtodoso,"saidHolmes,drawingseveralpapersfromhispocket."Here
is a photograph of the couple taken in York four years ago. It is indorsed 'Mr. and Mrs.
Vandeleur,'butyouwillhavenodifficultyinrecognizinghim,andheralso,ifyouknowherby
sight.Here are three written descriptions by trustworthy witnesses of Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur,
whoatthattimekeptSt.Oliver'sprivateschool.Readthemandseeifyoucandoubttheidentity
ofthesepeople."
Sheglancedatthem,andthenlookedupatuswiththeset,rigidfaceofadesperatewoman.
"Mr. Holmes," she said, "this man had offered me marriage on condition that I could get a
divorcefrommyhusband.Hehasliedtome,thevillain,ineveryconceivableway.Notoneword
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oftruthhasheevertoldme.Andwhywhy?Iimaginedthatallwasformyownsake.Butnow
IseethatIwasneveranythingbutatoolinhishands.WhyshouldIpreservefaithwithhimwho
never kept any with me? Why should I try to shield him from the consequences of his own
wickedacts?Askmewhatyou like,andthereisnothingwhichIshallholdback.OnethingI
sweartoyou, and that is that when I wrote the letter I never dreamed of any harm to the old
gentleman,whohadbeenmykindestfriend."
"Ientirelybelieveyou,madam,"saidSherlockHolmes."Therecitaloftheseeventsmustbe
verypainfultoyou,andperhapsitwillmakeiteasierifItellyouwhatoccurred,andyoucan
check me if I make any material mistake. The sending of this letter was suggested to you by
Stapleton?"
"Hedictatedit."
"IpresumethatthereasonhegavewasthatyouwouldreceivehelpfromSirCharlesforthe
legalexpensesconnectedwithyourdivorce?"
"Exactly."
"Andthenafteryouhadsenttheletterhedissuadedyoufromkeepingtheappointment?"
"Hetoldmethatitwouldhurthisselfrespectthatanyothermanshouldfindthemoneyfor
such an object, and that though he was a poor man himself he would devote his last penny to
removingtheobstacleswhichdividedus."
"Heappearstobeaveryconsistentcharacter.Andthenyouheardnothing untilyoureadthe
reportsofthedeathinthepaper?"
"No."
"AndhemadeyousweartosaynothingaboutyourappointmentwithSirCharles?"
"He did. He said that the death was a very mysterious one, and that I should certainly be
suspectedifthefactscameout.Hefrightenedmeintoremainingsilent."
"Quiteso.Butyouhadyoursuspicions?"
Shehesitatedandlookeddown.
"Iknewhim,"shesaid."ButifhehadkeptfaithwithmeIshouldalwayshavedonesowith
him."
"Ithinkthatonthewholeyouhavehadafortunateescape,"saidSherlockHolmes."Youhave
hadhiminyourpowerandheknewit,andyetyouarealive.Youhavebeenwalkingforsome
monthsveryneartotheedgeofaprecipice.Wemustwishyougoodmorningnow,Mrs.Lyons,
anditisprobablethatyouwillveryshortlyhearfromusagain."
"Ourcasebecomesroundedoff,anddifficultyafterdifficultythinsawayinfrontofus,"said
Holmes as we stood waiting for the arrival of the express from town. "I shall soon be in the
position of being able to put into a single connected narrative one of the most singular and
sensational crimes of modern times. Students of criminology will remember the analogous
incidents in Godno, in Little Russia, in the year '66, and of course there are the Anderson
murders in North Carolina, but this case possesses some features which are entirely its own.
Evennowwehavenoclearcaseagainstthisverywilyman.ButIshallbeverymuchsurprisedif
itisnotclearenoughbeforewegotobedthisnight."
The London express came roaring into the station, and a small, wiry bulldog of a man had
sprung from a firstclass carriage. We all three shook hands, and I saw at once from the
reverentialwayinwhichLestradegazedatmycompanionthathehadlearnedagooddealsince
the days when they had first worked together. I could well remember the scorn which the
theoriesofthereasonerusedthentoexciteinthepracticalman.
"Anythinggood?"heasked.
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"The biggest thing for years," said Holmes. "We have two hours before we need think of
starting.Ithinkwemightemployitingettingsomedinnerandthen,Lestrade,wewilltakethe
LondonfogoutofyourthroatbygivingyouabreathofthepurenightairofDartmoor.Never
beenthere?Ah,well,Idon'tsupposeyouwillforgetyourfirstvisit."
Chapter14.TheHoundofthe
Baskervilles
One of Sherlock Holmes's defectsif, indeed, one may call it a defectwas that he was
exceedingly loath to communicate his full plans to any other person until the instant of their
fulfilment.Partlyitcamenodoubtfromhisownmasterfulnature,whichlovedtodominateand
surprisethosewhowerearoundhim.Partlyalsofromhisprofessionalcaution,whichurgedhim
nevertotakeanychances.Theresult,however,wasverytryingforthosewhowereactingashis
agentsandassistants.Ihadoftensufferedunderit,butnevermoresothanduringthatlongdrive
in the darkness. The great ordeal was in front of us at last we were about to make our final
effort, and yet Holmes had said nothing, and I could only surmise what his course of action
wouldbe.Mynervesthrilledwithanticipationwhenatlastthecoldwinduponourfacesandthe
dark,void spaces on either side of the narrow road told me that we were back uponthemoor
onceagain.Everystrideofthehorsesandeveryturnofthewheelswastakingusnearertoour
supremeadventure.
Ourconversationwashamperedbythepresenceofthedriverofthehiredwagonette,sothat
we were forced to talk of trivial matters when our nerves were tense with emotion and
anticipation. It was a relief to me, after that unnatural restraint, when we at last passed
Frankland'shouseandknewthatweweredrawingneartotheHallandtothesceneofaction.We
didnotdriveuptothedoorbutgotdownnearthegateoftheavenue.Thewagonettewaspaid
off and ordered to return to Coombe Tracey forthwith, while we started to walk to Merripit
House.
"Areyouarmed,Lestrade?"
Thelittledetectivesmiled."AslongasIhavemytrousersIhaveahippocket,andaslongasI
havemyhippocketIhavesomethinginit."
"Good!MyfriendandIarealsoreadyforemergencies."
"You'remightycloseaboutthisaffair,Mr.Holmes.What'sthegamenow?"
"Awaitinggame."
"Myword,itdoesnotseemaverycheerfulplace,"saidthedetectivewithashiver,glancing
round him at the gloomy slopes of the hill and at the huge lake of fog which lay over the
GrimpenMire."Iseethelightsofahouseaheadofus."
"ThatisMerripitHouseandtheendofourjourney.Imustrequestyoutowalkontiptoeand
nottotalkaboveawhisper."
Wemovedcautiouslyalongthetrackasifwewereboundforthehouse,butHolmeshaltedus
whenwewereabouttwohundredyardsfromit.
"Thiswilldo,"saidhe."Theserocksupontherightmakeanadmirablescreen."
"Wearetowaithere?"
"Yes, we shall make our little ambush here. Get into this hollow, Lestrade. You have been
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insidethehouse,haveyounot,Watson?Canyoutellthepositionoftherooms?Whatarethose
latticedwindowsatthisend?"
"Ithinktheyarethekitchenwindows."
"Andtheonebeyond,whichshinessobrightly?"
"Thatiscertainlythediningroom."
"Theblindsareup.Youknowthelieofthelandbest.Creepforwardquietlyandseewhatthey
aredoingbutforheaven'ssakedon'tletthemknowthattheyarewatched!"
I tiptoed down the path and stooped behind the low wall which surrounded the stunted
orchard. Creeping in its shadow I reached a point whence I could look straight through the
uncurtainedwindow.
Therewereonlytwomenintheroom,SirHenryandStapleton.Theysat withtheirprofiles
towardsmeoneithersideoftheroundtable.Bothofthemweresmokingcigars,andcoffeeand
winewereinfrontofthem.Stapleton was talking with animation, but the baronet looked pale
anddistrait.Perhapsthethoughtofthatlonelywalkacrosstheillomenedmoorwasweighing
heavilyuponhismind.
AsIwatchedthemStapletonroseandlefttheroom,whileSirHenryfilledhisglassagainand
leanedbackinhischair,puffingathiscigar.Iheardthecreakofadoorandthecrispsoundof
bootsupongravel.ThestepspassedalongthepathontheothersideofthewallunderwhichI
crouched.Lookingover,Isawthenaturalistpauseatthedoorofanouthouseinthecornerof
theorchard.Akeyturnedinalock,andashe passedintherewasacuriousscufflingnoisefrom
within.Hewasonlyaminuteorsoinside,andthenIheardthekeyturnoncemoreandhepassed
me and reentered the house. I saw him rejoin his guest, and I crept quietly back to where my
companionswerewaitingtotellthemwhatIhadseen.
"Yousay,Watson,thattheladyisnotthere?"HolmesaskedwhenIhadfinishedmyreport.
"No."
"Wherecanshebe,then,sincethereisnolightinanyotherroomexceptthekitchen?"
"Icannotthinkwheresheis."
I have said that over the great Grimpen Mire there hung a dense, white fog. It was drifting
slowlyinourdirectionandbankeditselfuplikeawallonthatsideofus,lowbutthickandwell
defined.Themoonshoneonit,anditlookedlikeagreatshimmeringicefield,withtheheadsof
the distant tors as rocks borne upon its surface. Holmes's face was turned towards it, and he
mutteredimpatientlyashewatcheditssluggishdrift.
"It'smovingtowardsus,Watson."
"Isthatserious?"
"Veryserious,indeedtheonethinguponearthwhichcouldhavedisarrangedmyplans.He
can'tbeverylong,now.Itisalreadyteno'clock.Oursuccessandevenhislifemaydependupon
hiscomingoutbeforethefogisoverthepath."
The night was clear and fine above us. The stars shone cold and bright, while a halfmoon
bathed the whole scene in a soft, uncertain light. Before us lay the dark bulk of the house, its
serratedroofandbristlingchimneyshardoutlinedagainstthesilverspangledsky.Broadbarsof
golden light from the lower windows stretched across the orchard and the moor. One of them
was suddenly shut off.The servants had left the kitchen.Thereonlyremainedthelampinthe
diningroomwherethetwomen,themurderoushostandtheunconsciousguest,stillchattedover
theircigars.
Everyminutethatwhitewoollyplainwhichcoveredonehalfofthemoorwasdriftingcloser
andclosertothehouse.Alreadythefirstthinwispsofitwerecurlingacrossthegoldensquareof
the lighted window. The farther wall of the orchard was already invisible, and the trees were
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standingoutofaswirlofwhitevapour.Aswewatcheditthefogwreaths camecrawlinground
bothcornersofthehouseandrolledslowlyintoonedensebankonwhichtheupperfloorandthe
rooffloatedlikeastrangeshipuponashadowysea.Holmesstruckhishandpassionatelyupon
therockinfrontofusandstampedhisfeetinhisimpatience.
"Ifheisn'toutinaquarterofanhourthepathwillbecovered.Inhalfanhourwewon'tbe
abletoseeourhandsinfrontofus."
"Shallwemovefartherbackuponhigherground?"
"Yes,Ithinkitwouldbeaswell."
Soasthefogbankflowedonwardwefellbackbeforeituntilwewerehalfamilefromthe
house,andstillthatdensewhitesea,withthemoonsilveringitsupperedge,sweptslowlyand
inexorablyon.
"We are going too far," said Holmes. "We dare not take the chance of his being overtaken
beforehecanreachus.Atallcostswemustholdour groundwhereweare."Hedroppedonhis
kneesandclappedhiseartotheground."ThankGod,IthinkthatIhearhimcoming."
Asoundofquickstepsbrokethesilenceofthemoor.Crouchingamongthe stoneswestared
intentlyatthesilvertippedbankinfrontofus.The stepsgrewlouder,andthroughthefog,as
through a curtain, there stepped the man whom we were awaiting. He looked round him in
surpriseasheemergedintotheclear,starlitnight.Thenhecameswiftlyalongthepath,passed
close to where we lay, and went on up the long slope behind us. As he walked he glanced
continuallyovereithershoulder,likeamanwhoisillatease.
"Hist!"criedHolmes,andIheardthesharpclickofacockingpistol."Lookout!It'scoming!"
Therewasathin,crisp,continuouspatterfromsomewhereintheheartofthatcrawlingbank.
Thecloudwaswithinfiftyyardsofwherewelay,andweglaredatit,allthree,uncertainwhat
horror was about to break from the heart of it. I was at Holmes's elbow, and I glanced for an
instant at his face. It was pale and exultant, his eyes shining brightly in the moonlight. But
suddenly they started forward in a rigid, fixed stare, and his lips parted in amazement.At the
sameinstantLestradegaveayellofterrorandthrewhimselffacedownwardupontheground.I
sprangtomyfeet,myinerthandgraspingmypistol,mymindparalyzedbythedreadfulshape
whichhadsprungoutuponusfromtheshadowsofthefog.Ahoundit was,anenormouscoal
blackhound,butnotsuchahoundasmortaleyeshaveeverseen.Fireburstfromitsopenmouth,
itseyesglowedwithasmouldering glare,itsmuzzle andhacklesanddewlap wereoutlinedin
flickeringflame.Neverinthedeliriousdreamofadisorderedbraincouldanythingmoresavage,
more appalling, more hellish be conceived than that dark form and savage face which broke
uponusoutofthewalloffog.
Withlongboundsthehugeblackcreaturewasleapingdownthetrack,following hard upon
thefootstepsofourfriend.Soparalyzedwerewebytheapparitionthatweallowedhimtopass
beforewehadrecoveredournerve.ThenHolmesandIbothfiredtogether,andthecreaturegave
a hideous howl, which showed that one at least had hit him. He did not pause, however, but
bounded onward. Far away on the path we saw Sir Henry looking back, his face white in the
moonlight,hishandsraisedinhorror,glaringhelplesslyatthefrightfulthingwhichwashunting
himdown.Butthatcryofpainfromthehoundhadblownallourfearstothewinds.Ifhewas
vulnerablehewasmortal,andifwecouldwoundhimwecouldkillhim. Never haveIseena
manrunasHolmesranthatnight.Iamreckonedfleetoffoot,butheoutpacedmeasmuchasI
outpaced the little professional. In front of us as we flew up the track we heard scream after
screamfromSirHenryandthedeeproarofthehound.Iwasintimetoseethebeastspringupon
its victim, hurl him to the ground, and worry at his throat. But the next instant Holmes had
emptied five barrels of his revolver into the creature's flank. With a last howl of agony and a
vicioussnapintheair,itrolleduponitsback,fourfeetpawingfuriously,andthenfelllimpupon
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itsside.Istooped,panting,andpressedmypistoltothedreadful,shimmeringhead,butitwas
uselesstopressthetrigger.Thegianthoundwasdead.
SirHenrylayinsensiblewherehehadfallen.Wetoreawayhiscollar,andHolmesbreatheda
prayerofgratitudewhenwesawthattherewasnosignofawoundandthattherescuehadbeen
in time.Already our friend's eyelids shivered and he made a feeble effort to move. Lestrade
thrusthisbrandyflaskbetweenthebaronet'steeth,andtwofrightenedeyeswerelookingupat
us.
"MyGod!"hewhispered."Whatwasit?What,inheaven'sname,wasit?"
"It'sdead,whateveritis,"saidHolmes."We'velaidthefamilyghostonceandforever."
Inmeresizeandstrengthitwasaterriblecreaturewhichwaslyingstretchedbeforeus.Itwas
notapurebloodhoundanditwasnotapuremastiffbutitappearedtobeacombinationofthe
twogaunt,savage,andaslargeasasmalllioness.Evennowinthestillnessofdeath,thehuge
jawsseemedtobedrippingwithabluishflameandthesmall,deepset,crueleyeswereringed
with fire. I placed my hand upon the glowing muzzle, and as I held them up my own fingers
smoulderedandgleamedinthedarkness.
"Phosphorus,"Isaid.
"A cunning preparation of it," said Holmes, sniffing at the dead animal. "There is no smell
whichmighthaveinterferedwithhispowerofscent.Weoweyouadeepapology,SirHenry,for
havingexposedyoutothisfright.Iwaspreparedforahound,butnotforsuchacreatureasthis.
Andthefoggaveuslittletimetoreceivehim."
"Youhavesavedmylife."
"Havingfirstendangeredit.Areyoustrongenoughtostand?"
"GivemeanothermouthfulofthatbrandyandIshallbereadyforanything.So!Now,ifyou
willhelpmeup.Whatdoyouproposetodo?"
"Toleaveyouhere.Youarenotfitforfurtheradventurestonight.Ifyouwillwait,oneorother
ofuswillgobackwithyoutotheHall."
Hetriedtostaggertohisfeetbuthewasstillghastlypaleandtremblingineverylimb.We
helpedhimtoarock,wherehesatshiveringwithhisfaceburiedinhishands.
"We must leave you now," said Holmes. "The rest of our work must be done, and every
momentisofimportance.Wehaveourcase,andnowweonlywantourman.
"It'sathousandtooneagainstourfindinghimatthehouse,"hecontinuedasweretracedour
stepsswiftlydownthepath."Thoseshotsmusthavetoldhimthatthegamewasup."
"Weweresomedistanceoff,andthisfogmayhavedeadenedthem."
"Hefollowedthehoundtocallhimoffofthatyoumaybecertain.No,no,he'sgonebythis
time!Butwe'llsearchthehouseandmakesure."
Thefrontdoorwasopen,sowerushedinandhurriedfromroomtoroomtotheamazementof
adodderingoldmanservant,whometusinthepassage.Therewasnolightsaveinthedining
room,butHolmescaughtupthelampandleftnocornerofthehouseunexplored.Nosigncould
we see of the man whom we were chasing. On the upper floor, however, one of the bedroom
doorswaslocked.
"There'ssomeoneinhere,"criedLestrade."Icanhearamovement.Openthisdoor!"
Afaintmoaningandrustlingcamefromwithin.Holmesstruckthedoorjustoverthelockwith
theflatofhisfootanditflewopen.Pistolinhand,weallthreerushedintotheroom.
Buttherewasnosignwithinitofthatdesperateanddefiantvillainwhomweexpectedtosee.
Instead we were faced by an object so strange and so unexpected that we stood for a moment
staringatitinamazement.
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Theroomhadbeenfashionedintoasmallmuseum,andthewallswerelinedbyanumberof
glasstopped cases full of that collection of butterflies and moths the formation of which had
beentherelaxationofthiscomplexanddangerousman.Inthecentreofthisroomtherewasan
uprightbeam,whichhadbeenplacedatsomeperiodasasupportfortheoldwormeatenbaulk
oftimberwhichspannedtheroof.Tothispostafigurewastied,soswathedandmuffledinthe
sheetswhichhadbeenusedtosecureitthatonecouldnotforthemomenttellwhetheritwasthat
of a man or a woman. One towel passed round the throat and was secured at the back of the
pillar.Anothercoveredthelowerpartoftheface,andoverittwodark eyeseyesfullofgrief
andshameandadreadfulquestioningstaredbackatus.Inaminutewehadtornoffthegag,
unswathed the bonds, and Mrs. Stapleton sank upon the floor in front of us.As her beautiful
headfelluponherchestIsawtheclearredwealofawhiplashacrossherneck.
"Thebrute!"criedHolmes."Here,Lestrade,yourbrandybottle!Putherinthechair!Shehas
faintedfromillusageandexhaustion."
Sheopenedhereyesagain.
"Ishesafe?"sheasked."Hasheescaped?"
"Hecannotescapeus,madam."
"No,no,Ididnotmeanmyhusband.SirHenry?Ishesafe?"
"Yes."
"Andthehound?"
"Itisdead."
Shegavealongsighofsatisfaction.
"ThankGod!ThankGod!Oh,thisvillain!Seehowhehastreatedme!"Sheshotherarmsout
from her sleeves, and we saw with horror that they were all mottled with bruises. "But this is
nothingnothing!Itismymindandsoulthathehastorturedanddefiled.Icouldendureitall,
illusage,solitude,alifeofdeception,everything,aslongasIcouldstillclingtothehopethatI
hadhislove,butnowIknowthatinthisalsoIhavebeenhisdupeandhistool."Shebrokeinto
passionatesobbingasshespoke.
"Youbearhimnogoodwill,madam,"saidHolmes."Tellusthenwhereweshallfindhim.If
youhaveeveraidedhiminevil,helpusnowandsoatone."
"Thereisbutoneplacewherehecanhavefled,"sheanswered."Thereisanoldtinmineonan
islandintheheartofthemire.Itwastherethathekepthishoundandtherealsohehadmade
preparationssothathemighthavearefuge.Thatiswherehewouldfly."
Thefogbanklaylikewhitewoolagainstthewindow.Holmesheldthelamptowardsit.
"See,"saidhe."NoonecouldfindhiswayintotheGrimpenMiretonight."
Shelaughedandclappedherhands.Hereyesandteethgleamedwithfiercemerriment.
"He may find his way in, but never out," she cried. "How can he see the guiding wands
tonight?Weplantedthemtogether,heandI,tomarkthepathwaythroughthemire.Oh,ifIcould
onlyhavepluckedthemouttoday.Thenindeedyouwouldhavehadhimatyourmercy!"
It was evident to us that all pursuit was in vain until the fog had lifted. Meanwhile we left
Lestrade in possession of the house while Holmes and I went back with the baronet to
BaskervilleHall.ThestoryoftheStapletonscouldnolongerbewithheldfromhim,buthetook
theblowbravelywhenhelearnedthetruthaboutthewomanwhomhehadloved.Buttheshock
ofthenight'sadventureshadshatteredhisnerves,andbeforemorninghelaydeliriousinahigh
feverunderthecareofDr.Mortimer.Thetwoofthemweredestinedtotraveltogetherroundthe
worldbeforeSirHenryhadbecomeoncemorethehale,heartymanthathehadbeenbeforehe
becamemasterofthatillomenedestate.
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AndnowIcomerapidlytotheconclusionofthissingularnarrative,inwhichIhavetriedto
makethereadersharethosedarkfearsandvaguesurmiseswhichcloudedourlivessolongand
endedinsotragicamanner.Onthemorningafterthedeathofthehoundthefoghadliftedand
wewereguidedbyMrs.Stapletontothepointwheretheyhadfoundapathwaythroughthebog.
Ithelpedustorealizethehorrorofthiswoman'slifewhenwesawtheeagernessandjoywith
whichshelaidusonherhusband'strack.Weleftherstandinguponthethinpeninsulaoffirm,
peatysoilwhichtaperedoutintothewidespreadbog.Fromtheendofitasmallwandplanted
hereandthereshowedwherethepathzigzaggedfromtufttotuftofrushesamongthosegreen
scummed pits and foul quagmires which barred the way to the stranger. Rank reeds and lush,
slimywaterplantssentanodourofdecayandaheavymiasmaticvapourontoourfaces,whilea
falsestepplungedusmorethanoncethighdeepintothedark,quiveringmire,whichshookfor
yardsinsoftundulationsaroundourfeet.Itstenaciousgrippluckedatourheelsaswewalked,
and when we sank into it it was as if some malignant hand was tugging us down into those
obscenedepths,sogrimandpurposefulwastheclutchinwhichitheldus.Onceonlywesawa
trace that someone had passed that perilous way before us. From amid a tuft of cotton grass
whichboreitupoutoftheslimesomedarkthingwasprojecting.Holmessanktohiswaistashe
steppedfromthepathtoseizeit,andhadwenotbeentheretodraghimouthecouldneverhave
sethisfootuponfirmlandagain.Heheldanoldblackbootintheair."Meyers,Toronto,"was
printedontheleatherinside.
"Itisworthamudbath,"saidhe."ItisourfriendSirHenry'smissingboot."
"ThrowntherebyStapletoninhisflight."
"Exactly.Heretaineditinhishandafterusingittosetthehounduponthetrack.Hefledwhen
heknewthegamewasup,stillclutchingit.Andhehurleditawayatthispointofhisflight.We
knowatleastthathecamesofarinsafety."
Butmorethanthatwewereneverdestinedtoknow,thoughtherewasmuchwhichwemight
surmise.Therewasnochanceoffindingfootstepsinthemire,fortherisingmudoozedswiftly
inuponthem,butasweatlastreachedfirmergroundbeyondthemorasswealllookedeagerly
for them. But no slightest sign of them ever met our eyes. If the earth told a true story, then
Stapletonneverreachedthatislandofrefugetowardswhichhestruggledthroughthefogupon
thatlastnight.SomewhereintheheartofthegreatGrimpenMire,downinthefoulslimeofthe
hugemorasswhichhadsuckedhimin,thiscoldandcruelheartedmanisforeverburied.
Manytraceswefoundofhimintheboggirtislandwherehehadhidhissavageally.Ahuge
drivingwheel and a shaft halffilled with rubbish showed the position of an abandoned mine.
Besideitwerethecrumblingremainsofthecottagesoftheminers,drivenawaynodoubtbythe
foulreekofthesurroundingswamp.Inoneoftheseastapleandchainwithaquantityofgnawed
bones showed where the animal had been confined. A skeleton with a tangle of brown hair
adheringtoitlayamongthedebris.
"Adog!"saidHolmes."ByJove,acurlyhairedspaniel.PoorMortimerwillneverseehispet
again. Well, I do not know that this place contains any secret which we have not already
fathomed.Hecouldhidehishound,buthecouldnothushitsvoice,andhencecamethosecries
whichevenindaylightwerenotpleasanttohear.Onanemergencyhecouldkeepthehoundin
theouthouseatMerripit,butitwasalwaysarisk,anditwasonlyonthesupremeday,whichhe
regarded as the end of all his efforts, that he dared do it.This paste in the tin is no doubt the
luminousmixturewithwhichthecreaturewasdaubed.Itwassuggested,ofcourse,bythestory
ofthefamilyhellhound,andbythedesiretofrightenoldSirCharlestodeath.Nowonderthe
poordevilofaconvictranandscreamed,evenasourfrienddid,andasweourselvesmighthave
done,whenhesawsuchacreatureboundingthroughthedarknessofthemooruponhistrack.It
was a cunning device, for, apart from the chance of driving your victim to his death, what
peasant would venture to inquire too closely into such a creature should he get sight of it, as
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manyhavedone,uponthemoor?IsaiditinLondon,Watson,andIsayitagainnow,thatnever
yethavewehelpedtohuntdownamoredangerousmanthanhewhoislyingyonder"heswept
his long arm towards the huge mottled expanse of greensplotched bog which stretched away
untilitmergedintotherussetslopesofthemoor.
Chapter15.ARetrospection
ItwastheendofNovember,andHolmesandIsat,uponarawandfoggynight,oneitherside
of a blazing fire in our sittingroom in Baker Street. Since the tragic upshot of our visit to
Devonshirehehadbeenengagedintwoaffairsoftheutmostimportance,inthefirstofwhichhe
had exposed the atrocious conduct of Colonel Upwood in connection with the famous card
scandal of the Nonpareil Club, while in the second he had defended the unfortunate Mme.
Montpensierfromthechargeofmurderwhichhungoverherinconnectionwiththedeathofher
stepdaughter, Mlle. Carere, the young lady who, as it will be remembered, was found six
monthslateraliveandmarriedinNewYork.Myfriendwasinexcellentspiritsoverthesuccess
whichhadattendedasuccessionofdifficultandimportantcases,sothatIwasabletoinducehim
todiscussthedetailsoftheBaskervillemystery.IhadwaitedpatientlyfortheopportunityforI
wasawarethathewouldneverpermitcasestooverlap,andthathisclearandlogicalmindwould
not be drawn from its present work to dwell upon memories of the past. Sir Henry and Dr.
Mortimer were, however, in London, on their way to that long voyage which had been
recommended for the restoration of his shattered nerves. They had called upon us that very
afternoon,sothatitwasnaturalthatthesubjectshouldcomeupfordiscussion.
"The whole course of events," said Holmes, "from the point of view of the manwhocalled
himselfStapletonwassimpleanddirect,althoughtous,whohadnomeansinthebeginningof
knowing the motives of his actions and could only learn part of the facts, it all appeared
exceedinglycomplex. I have had the advantage of two conversations with Mrs. Stapleton, and
thecasehasnowbeensoentirelyclearedupthatIamnotawarethatthereisanythingwhichhas
remainedasecrettous.Youwill findafewnotesuponthematterundertheheadingBinmy
indexedlistofcases."
"Perhapsyouwouldkindlygivemeasketchofthecourseofeventsfrommemory."
"Certainly, though I cannot guarantee that I carry all the facts in my mind. Intense mental
concentrationhasacuriouswayofblottingoutwhathaspassed.Thebarristerwhohashiscase
athisfingers'endsandisabletoarguewithanexpertuponhisownsubjectfindsthataweekor
twoofthecourtswilldriveitalloutofhisheadoncemore.Soeachofmycasesdisplacesthe
last, and Mlle. Carere has blurred my recollection of Baskerville Hall. Tomorrow some other
littleproblemmaybesubmittedtomynoticewhichwillinturndispossessthefairFrenchlady
andtheinfamous Upwood. So far as the case of the hound goes, however, I will giveyouthe
courseofeventsasnearlyasIcan,andyouwillsuggestanythingwhichImayhaveforgotten.
"Myinquiriesshowbeyondallquestionthatthefamilyportraitdidnotlie,andthatthisfellow
wasindeedaBaskerville.HewasasonofthatRodgerBaskerville,theyoungerbrotherofSir
Charles,whofledwithasinisterreputationtoSouthAmerica,wherehewassaidtohavedied
unmarried.Hedid,asamatteroffact,marry,andhadonechild,thisfellow,whoserealnameis
thesameashisfather's.HemarriedBerylGarcia,oneofthebeautiesofCostaRica,and,having
purloinedaconsiderable sum of public money, he changed his name to Vandeleur and fled to
England,whereheestablishedaschoolintheeastofYorkshire. Hisreasonforattemptingthis
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speciallineofbusinesswasthathehadstruckupanacquaintancewithaconsumptivetutorupon
the voyage home, and that he had used this man's ability to make the undertaking a success.
Fraser,thetutor,diedhowever,andtheschoolwhichhadbegunwellsankfrom disrepute into
infamy.TheVandeleursfounditconvenienttochange theirnametoStapleton,andhebrought
theremainsofhisfortune,hisschemesforthefuture,andhistasteforentomologytothesouth
ofEngland.IlearnedattheBritishMuseumthathewasarecognizedauthorityuponthesubject,
andthatthenameofVandeleurhasbeenpermanentlyattachedtoacertainmothwhichhehad,in
hisYorkshiredays,beenthefirsttodescribe.
"Wenowcometothatportionofhislifewhichhasprovedtobeofsuchintenseinteresttous.
The fellow had evidently made inquiry and found that only two lives intervened between him
andavaluableestate.WhenhewenttoDevonshirehisplanswere,Ibelieve,exceedinglyhazy,
butthathemeantmischieffromthefirstisevidentfromthewayinwhichhetookhiswifewith
him in the character of his sister. The idea of using her as a decoy was clearly already in his
mind,thoughhemaynothavebeencertainhowthedetailsofhisplotweretobearranged.He
meantintheendtohavetheestate,andhewasreadytouseanytoolorrunanyriskforthatend.
Hisfirstactwastoestablishhimselfasneartohisancestralhomeashecould,andhissecond
wastocultivateafriendshipwithSirCharlesBaskervilleandwiththeneighbours.
"Thebaronethimselftoldhimaboutthefamilyhound,andsopreparedthewayforhisown
death.Stapleton,asIwillcontinuetocallhim,knewthattheoldman'sheartwasweakandthata
shock would kill him. So much he had learned from Dr. Mortimer. He had heard also that Sir
Charles was superstitious and had taken this grim legend very seriously. His ingenious mind
instantly suggested a way by which the baronet could be done to death, and yet it would be
hardlypossibletobringhometheguilttotherealmurderer.
"Havingconceivedtheideaheproceededtocarryitoutwithconsiderablefinesse.Anordinary
schemerwouldhavebeencontenttoworkwithasavagehound.Theuseofartificialmeansto
makethecreaturediabolicalwasaflashofgeniusuponhispart.ThedogheboughtinLondon
from Ross and Mangles, the dealers in Fulham Road. It was the strongest and most savage in
theirpossession.HebroughtitdownbytheNorthDevonlineandwalkedagreatdistanceover
themoorsoastogetithomewithoutexcitinganyremarks.Hehadalreadyonhisinsecthunts
learned to penetrate the Grimpen Mire, and so had found a safe hidingplace for the creature.
Herehekennelleditandwaitedhischance.
"But it was some time coming. The old gentleman could not be decoyed outside of his
groundsatnight.SeveraltimesStapletonlurkedaboutwithhishound,butwithoutavail.Itwas
duringthesefruitlessqueststhathe,orratherhisally,wasseenbypeasants,andthatthelegend
of the demon dog received a new confirmation. He had hoped that his wife might lure Sir
Charlestohisruin,butheresheprovedunexpectedlyindependent.Shewouldnotendeavourto
entangle the old gentleman in a sentimental attachment which might deliver him over to his
enemy.Threatsandeven,Iamsorrytosay,blowsrefusedtomoveher.Shewouldhavenothing
todowithit,andforatimeStapletonwasatadeadlock.
"HefoundawayoutofhisdifficultiesthroughthechancethatSirCharles,whohadconceived
afriendshipforhim,madehimtheministerofhischarityinthecaseofthisunfortunatewoman,
Mrs.LauraLyons.Byrepresentinghimselfasasinglemanheacquiredcompleteinfluenceover
her,andhegavehertounderstandthatintheeventofherobtainingadivorcefromherhusband
he would marry her. His plans were suddenly brought to a head by his knowledge that Sir
Charles was about to leave the Hall on the advice of Dr. Mortimer, with whose opinion he
himselfpretendedtocoincide.Hemustactatonce,orhisvictimmightgetbeyondhispower.He
thereforeputpressureuponMrs.Lyonstowritethisletter,imploringtheoldmantogiveheran
interview on the evening before his departure for London. He then, by a specious argument,
preventedherfromgoing,andsohadthechanceforwhichhehadwaited.
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"DrivingbackintheeveningfromCoombeTraceyhewasintimetogethishound,totreatit
withhisinfernalpaint,andtobringthebeastroundtothegateatwhichhehadreasontoexpect
that he would find the old gentleman waiting. The dog, incited by its master, sprang over the
wicketgateandpursuedtheunfortunatebaronet,whofledscreamingdowntheyewalley.Inthat
gloomytunnelitmustindeedhavebeenadreadfulsighttoseethathugeblackcreature,withits
flamingjawsandblazingeyes,boundingafteritsvictim.Hefelldeadattheendofthealleyfrom
heartdiseaseandterror.Thehoundhadkeptuponthegrassyborderwhile thebaronethadrun
downthepath,sothatnotrackbuttheman'swasvisible.Onseeinghimlyingstillthecreature
had probably approached to sniff at him, but finding him dead had turned away again. It was
thenthatitlefttheprintwhichwasactuallyobservedbyDr.Mortimer.Thehoundwascalledoff
and hurried away to its lair in the Grimpen Mire, and a mystery was left which puzzled the
authorities, alarmed the countryside, and finally brought the case within the scope of our
observation.
"SomuchforthedeathofSirCharlesBaskerville.Youperceivethedevilishcunningofit,for
really it would be almost impossible to make a case against the real murderer. His only
accomplicewasonewhocouldnevergivehimaway,andthegrotesque,inconceivablenatureof
thedeviceonlyservedtomakeitmoreeffective.Bothofthewomenconcernedinthecase,Mrs.
Stapleton and Mrs. Laura Lyons, were left with a strong suspicion against Stapleton. Mrs.
Stapletonknewthathehaddesignsuponthe old man, and also of the existence of the hound.
Mrs.Lyonsknewneitherofthesethings,buthadbeenimpressedbythedeathoccurringatthe
timeofanuncancelledappointmentwhichwasonlyknowntohim.However,bothofthemwere
under his influence, and he had nothing to fear from them. The first half of his task was
successfullyaccomplishedbutthemoredifficultstillremained.
"ItispossiblethatStapletondidnotknowoftheexistenceofanheirinCanada.Inanycasehe
wouldverysoonlearnitfromhisfriendDr.Mortimer,andhewastoldbythelatteralldetails
aboutthearrivalofHenry Baskerville. Stapleton's first idea was that this young stranger from
CanadamightpossiblybedonetodeathinLondonwithoutcomingdowntoDevonshireatall.
Hedistrustedhiswifeeversinceshehadrefusedtohelphiminlayingatrapfortheoldman,and
hedarednotleaveherlongoutofhissightforfearheshouldlosehisinfluenceoverher.Itwas
for this reason that he took her to London with him. They lodged, I find, at the Mexborough
Private Hotel, in Craven Street, which was actually one of those called upon by my agent in
searchofevidence.Herehekepthiswifeimprisonedinherroomwhilehe,disguisedinabeard,
followedDr.MortimertoBakerStreetandafterwardstothestationandtotheNorthumberland
Hotel.Hiswifehadsomeinklingofhisplansbutshehadsuchafearofherhusbandafear
foundeduponbrutalilltreatmentthatshedarenotwritetowarnthemanwhomsheknewtobe
in danger. If the letter should fall into Stapleton's hands her own life would not be safe.
Eventually,asweknow,sheadoptedtheexpedientofcuttingoutthewordswhichwouldform
themessage,andaddressingtheletterinadisguisedhand.Itreachedthebaronet,andgavehim
thefirstwarningofhisdanger.
"ItwasveryessentialforStapletontogetsomearticleofSirHenry'sattiresothat,incasehe
wasdriventousethedog,hemightalwayshavethemeansofsettinghimuponhistrack.With
characteristicpromptnessand audacity he set about this at once, and we cannot doubt that the
boots or chambermaid of the hotel was well bribed to help him in his design. By chance,
however,thefirstbootwhichwasprocuredforhimwasanewoneand,therefore,uselessforhis
purpose. He then had it returned and obtained anothera most instructive incident, since it
provedconclusivelytomymindthatweweredealingwitharealhound,asnoothersupposition
could explain this anxiety to obtain an old boot and this indifference to a new one. The more
outre andgrotesque an incidentis the more carefully it deserves to be examined, and the very
pointwhichappearstocomplicateacaseis,whendulyconsideredandscientificallyhandled,the
onewhichismostlikelytoelucidateit.
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"Thenwehadthevisitfromourfriendsnextmorning,shadowedalwaysbyStapletoninthe
cab. From his knowledge of our rooms and of my appearance, as well as from his general
conduct,IaminclinedtothinkthatStapleton'scareerofcrimehasbeenbynomeanslimitedto
thissingleBaskervilleaffair.Itissuggestivethatduringthelastthreeyearstherehavebeenfour
considerable burglaries in the west country, for none of which was any criminal ever arrested.
Thelastofthese,atFolkestoneCourt,inMay,wasremarkableforthecoldbloodedpistollingof
thepage,whosurprisedthemaskedandsolitaryburglar.IcannotdoubtthatStapletonrecruited
hiswaningresourcesinthisfashion,andthatforyearshehasbeenadesperateanddangerous
man.
"Wehadanexampleofhisreadinessofresourcethatmorningwhenhegotawayfromusso
successfully,andalsoofhisaudacityinsendingbackmyownnametomethroughthecabman.
From that moment he understood that I had taken over the case in London, and that therefore
there was no chance for him there. He returned to Dartmoor and awaited the arrival of the
baronet."
"Onemoment!"saidI."Youhave,nodoubt,describedthesequenceofevents correctly, but
thereisonepointwhichyouhaveleftunexplained.Whatbecameofthehoundwhenitsmaster
wasinLondon?"
"Ihavegivensomeattentiontothismatteranditisundoubtedlyofimportance.Therecanbe
noquestionthatStapletonhadaconfidant,thoughitisunlikelythatheeverplacedhimselfinhis
powerbysharingallhisplanswithhim.TherewasanoldmanservantatMerripitHouse,whose
name wasAnthony. His connection with the Stapletons can be traced for several years, as far
backastheschoolmasteringdays,sothathemusthavebeenawarethathismasterandmistress
werereallyhusbandandwife.Thismanhasdisappearedandhasescapedfromthecountry.Itis
suggestivethatAnthonyisnotacommonnameinEngland,whileAntoniois soinallSpanishor
SpanishAmericancountries.Theman,likeMrs.Stapletonherself,spokegoodEnglish,butwith
a curious lisping accent. I have myself seen this old man cross the Grimpen Mire by the path
whichStapletonhadmarkedout.Itisveryprobable,therefore,thatintheabsenceofhismaster
itwashewhocaredforthehound,thoughhemayneverhaveknownthepurposeforwhichthe
beastwasused.
"The Stapletons then went down to Devonshire, whither they were soon followed by Sir
Henryandyou.OnewordnowastohowIstoodmyselfatthattime.Itmaypossiblyrecurto
your memory that when I examined the paper upon which the printed words were fastened I
madeacloseinspectionforthewatermark.IndoingsoIhelditwithinafewinchesofmyeyes,
andwasconsciousofafaintsmellofthescentknownaswhitejessamine.Thereareseventyfive
perfumes, which it is very necessary that a criminal expert should be able to distinguish from
each other, and cases have more than once within my own experience depended upon their
promptrecognition.Thescentsuggestedthepresenceofalady,andalreadymythoughtsbegan
to turn towards the Stapletons. Thus I had made certain of the hound, and had guessed at the
criminalbeforeeverwewenttothewestcountry.
"ItwasmygametowatchStapleton.Itwasevident,however,thatIcouldnotdothisifIwere
with you, since he would be keenly on his guard. I deceived everybody, therefore, yourself
included,andIcamedownsecretlywhenIwassupposedtobeinLondon.Myhardshipswere
not so great as you imagined, though such trifling details must never interfere with the
investigationofacase.IstayedforthemostpartatCoombeTracey,andonlyusedthehutupon
themoorwhenitwasnecessarytobenearthesceneofaction.Cartwrighthadcomedownwith
me,andinhisdisguiseasacountryboyhewasofgreatassistancetome.Iwasdependentupon
him for food and clean linen. When I was watching Stapleton, Cartwright was frequently
watchingyou,sothatIwasabletokeepmyhanduponallthestrings.
"Ihavealreadytoldyouthatyourreportsreachedmerapidly,beingforwardedinstantlyfrom
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Baker Street to Coombe Tracey. They were of great service to me, and especially that one
incidentallytruthfulpieceofbiographyofStapleton's.Iwasabletoestablishtheidentityofthe
man and the woman and knew at last exactly how I stood. The case had been considerably
complicatedthroughtheincidentoftheescapedconvictandtherelationsbetweenhimandthe
Barrymores.Thisalsoyouclearedupinaveryeffectiveway,thoughIhadalreadycometothe
sameconclusionsfrommyownobservations.
"BythetimethatyoudiscoveredmeuponthemoorIhadacompleteknowledgeofthewhole
business,butIhadnotacasewhichcouldgotoajury.EvenStapleton'sattemptuponSirHenry
thatnightwhichendedinthedeathoftheunfortunateconvictdidnothelpusmuchinproving
murderagainstourman.Thereseemedtobenoalternativebuttocatchhimredhanded,andto
dosowehadtouseSirHenry,aloneandapparentlyunprotected,asabait.Wedidso,andatthe
costofasevereshocktoourclientwesucceededincompletingourcaseanddrivingStapletonto
hisdestruction.ThatSirHenryshouldhavebeenexposedtothisis,Imustconfess,areproachto
my management of the case, but we had no means of foreseeing the terrible and paralyzing
spectacle which the beast presented, nor could we predict the fog which enabled him to burst
uponusatsuchshortnotice.Wesucceededinourobjectatacostwhichboththespecialistand
Dr. Mortimer assure me will be a temporary one. A long journey may enable our friend to
recovernotonlyfromhisshatterednervesbutalsofromhiswoundedfeelings.Hisloveforthe
lady was deep and sincere, and to him the saddest part of all this black business was that he
shouldhavebeendeceivedbyher.
"Itonlyremainstoindicatethepartwhichshehadplayedthroughout.Therecanbenodoubt
thatStapletonexercisedaninfluenceoverherwhichmayhavebeenloveormayhavebeenfear,
or very possibly both, since they are by no means incompatible emotions. It was, at least,
absolutelyeffective.At his command she consented to pass as his sister, though he found the
limitsofhispoweroverherwhenheendeavouredtomakeherthedirectaccessorytomurder.
ShewasreadytowarnSirHenrysofarasshecouldwithoutimplicatingherhusband,andagain
andagainshetriedtodoso.Stapletonhimselfseemstohavebeencapableofjealousy,andwhen
hesaw the baronet paying court to the lady, even though it was part of his own plan, still he
could not help interrupting with a passionate outburst which revealed the fiery soul which his
selfcontained manner so cleverly concealed. By encouraging the intimacy he made it certain
thatSirHenrywouldfrequentlycometoMerripitHouseandthathewouldsoonerorlatergetthe
opportunitywhichhedesired.Onthedayofthecrisis,however,hiswifeturnedsuddenlyagainst
him.Shehadlearnedsomethingofthedeathoftheconvict,andsheknewthatthehoundwas
beingkeptintheouthouseontheeveningthatSirHenrywascomingtodinner.Shetaxedher
husbandwithhisintendedcrime,andafuriousscenefollowedinwhichheshowedherforthe
firsttimethatshehadarivalinhislove.Herfidelityturnedinaninstanttobitterhatred,andhe
saw that she would betray him. He tied her up, therefore, that she might have no chance of
warning Sir Henry, and he hoped, no doubt, that when the whole countryside put down the
baronet'sdeathtothecurseofhisfamily,astheycertainlywoulddo,hecouldwinhiswifeback
toacceptanaccomplishedfactandtokeepsilentuponwhatsheknew.InthisIfancythatinany
casehemadeamiscalculation,andthat,ifwehadnotbeenthere,hisdoomwouldnonetheless
havebeensealed.AwomanofSpanishblooddoesnotcondonesuch aninjurysolightly.And
now,mydearWatson,withoutreferringtomynotes,Icannotgiveyouamoredetailedaccount
ofthiscuriouscase.Idonotknowthatanythingessentialhasbeenleftunexplained."
"HecouldnothopetofrightenSirHenrytodeathashehaddonetheoldunclewithhisbogie
hound."
"Thebeastwassavageandhalfstarved.Ifitsappearancedidnotfrightenitsvictimtodeath,
atleastitwouldparalyzetheresistancewhichmightbeoffered."
"No doubt. There only remains one difficulty. If Stapleton came into the succession, how
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couldheexplainthefactthathe,theheir,hadbeenlivingunannouncedunderanothernameso
closetotheproperty?Howcouldheclaimitwithoutcausingsuspicionandinquiry?"
"Itisaformidabledifficulty,andIfearthatyouasktoomuchwhenyouexpectmetosolveit.
Thepastandthepresentarewithinthefieldofmyinquiry,butwhatamanmaydointhefuture
is a hard question to answer. Mrs. Stapleton has heard her husband discuss the problem on
severaloccasions.There were three possible courses. He might claim the property from South
America, establish his identity before the British authorities there and so obtain the fortune
withoutevercomingtoEnglandatall,orhemightadoptanelaboratedisguiseduringtheshort
timethatheneedbeinLondonor,again,hemightfurnishanaccomplicewiththeproofsand
papers, putting him in as heir, and retaining a claim upon some proportion of his income.We
cannot doubt from what we know of him that he would have found some way out of the
difficulty.And now, my dear Watson, we have had some weeks of severe work, and for one
evening,Ithink,wemayturnourthoughts into more pleasant channels. I have a box for 'Les
Huguenots.'Have you heard the De Reszkes? Might I trouble you then to be ready in half an
hour,andwecanstopatMarcini'sforalittledinnerontheway?"
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